Fishing from a Wheelchair - Penn Wooding is an Inspiration to Others

June 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Penn Wooding of Brixham is a shining example of not letting anything get in the way of your passion. With some clever thinking and imagination, Penn has been able to pursue his favourite hobby, even when the odds were stacked against him.

Born in 1968, Penn had a happy upbringing in Bedfordshire where his love for fishing began. Regularly fishing with friends, his passion excelled and as a young man he attended Falmouth Fisheries College and soon after started working in Brixton on a trawler boat.

In 1986 however, Penn was involved in a devastating incident which left him with the condition Tetraplegia which occurs when damage is caused to the spinal cord in the neck region.  Penn now suffers with paralysis to all 4 limbs leaving him in a wheelchair with little to no mobility in his arms and legs and his fishing dreams shattered.

However Penn was determined to get back on the riverbank doing what he loves best. He explains in his blog “Being disabled and confined to a wheelchair doesn't mean you can't participate in angling. With a little bit of thought, a few adaptations you'll be out there fishing with the rest of them”.

With no movement in his fingers, Penn had to come up with a way of holding a fishing rod securely and comfortably so that he would be prepared to tackle any angry fish that came his way. Penn explains “When you've got an angry twenty pound carp on the end of your line, the last thing you want is your rod slipping”. So Penn went to online supplier of sports injury equipment Firstaid4sport for an orthopaedic wrist splint with a metal strip; something that would keep his arm and wrist in place whilst also ensuring security and comfort. Penn then added his own little metal attachment in order to hold the rod in place and was soon able to cast a line once again. Penn reflects “When I first had my accident, I thought I would never go fishing again. How wrong I was”.

Penn continues to update his blog ‘Fishing from a Wheelchair’ to inspire others who may be in a similar situation and also to offer advice and help to those who share the same passion but feel they are held back by disability.

Michael Davison, managing director of Firstaid4sport says “We were so chuffed to hear this story, to know that a simple product has allowed someone to continue their passion when the odds are set against them and I feel this story is a great inspiration to others who have been affected by disability to never give up! Although Penn is using the splint in an unconventional manner, I think it is so clever how he has adapted the splint in order to carry on pursuing the hobby he loves”.

You can read more on Penn’s story on his website Teraplegic Living at http://www.tetraplegicliving.com/

For information on supports and braces visit http://www.firstaid4sport.co.uk/

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Firstaid4sport are the leading online suppliers in the field of sports first aid and medical. We are leaders in the market of supports, first aid kits, refills, medical supplies and taping. We are also proud suppliers to RFU, FA and LTA