Story of the Trigger and stuff

I believe I received the rifle mount for my wheelchair in 2005 from my friend Dustin. We had talked and had looked on the Internet for different types of wheelchair rifle mounts and one day I was surprised by Dustin with this awesome gift. Now we just need to figure out how to mount it to my wheelchair, because nothing is simple. All wheelchairs are not created equal. That means nothing fits like it is supposed to. There was going to be a need for some farming ingenuity.

Be Adaptive Equipment

I could tell right away that the way the instructions wanted it mounted to my wheelchair was not going to work for me. The post where the mount attaches would be right between my knees. This would suck for getting in and out of the chair. Knowing my luck something not good would happen. So after looking at it for a while we decided to mount it on the right side of my wheelchair. This means I could actually leave it on the chair at all times not having to worry about it getting in the way when transferring in and out of the chair. I also figured out a way to rig up my fishing rod in the same rifle mount. Two birds. But that's another story.

Here is the model I have. Click here.

After the obstacle of actually getting the rifle mount mounted to my chair, we had one more problem. That was the trigger. We had many different rudimentary ideas and tried many different rudimentary things. One of the first ideas was to attach a heavy gauge wire on my right splint and I would pull back on the trigger with that. This idea did not work because I couldn't keep my arm up that long to get it into the trigger. Also once the wire hook was in the trigger, I couldn't get it back out. Not very safe. Next we tried attaching a string loop around the trigger, and then I would try to hook that loop with the heavy gauge wire attached to my splint. This also didn't work and wasn't very safe. Especially if I had a semi auto. I also bought some stuff and things off of the internets that we tried for a trigger but none worked.

One day in 2009 when Tito and I were running out of ideas for a trigger. A meeting of the minds came together randomly. I have no idea but for some reason my uncle Gary, brother-in-law Brad, great friend Don B, my dad, Tito my favorite Lawrence and myself were standing around trying to come up with a solution for the trigger. Brad or Gary mentioned having some type of lever that would trip the trigger and then my dad said we could attach it to the trigger guard and then Don B said I have an idea. Within a couple days Don B had the trigger machined out and it was ready for a test run. This is the first time I shot with that trigger. The design is so easy and simple yet it works perfectly. It only took us four years… But perfection takes time.

Since the first design of the trigger we really haven't had to change much about it. Depending on what gun it is going to get mounted on, sometimes the gap where it attaches to the trigger guard needs to be made a little bigger. With a fine file this can be done quickly. But one of the best things about this trigger mechanism is that it is pretty universal. I can switch it from my Ruger 22 to my Remington Model 2600 and then to my Weatherby shotgun with just a simple allen wrench. No adjustments need to be made. This trigger mechanism even works on my Carbon Express Intercept crossbow. This trigger mechanism has fit on every rifle I have tried it on. The only guns it does not fit on are some shotguns. The reason is because some shotgun trigger guards are rounded. For this trigger mechanism to work the trigger guard needs to be flat below the trigger.

Once we got the trigger mechanism fine-tuned, I decided to post a video to YouTube on my channel. After a while when this video was watched and shared, I learned that there was a need for this trigger on the market. A small-market but there was a need. I had a list of about 10 disabled shooters that were interested if I could make more. The problem was where I could get more made. Then someone suggested asking one of the trade schools in the state. So I looked up the machinist instructor at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, Steven Johnson. Johnson is an Associate Professor/Chair for the Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology Departments at the college. Johnson was very interested and said his spring semester class would use it for one of their class projects. Once I got the blueprints or specs to Steve, the wheels were set in motion. I received the 20 triggers the beginning of May. The next week we had them tested and they were ready to be shipped. I can't thank Johnson and his class enough for what they have done for me and my fellow disabled shooters throughout the nation. We are indebted.

Before I was going to send them out I knew I should probably cover my backside. So I got a hold of my personal lawyer Neil and he wrote up a waiver of liability form to send out to the possible recipients. They would sign this waiver and return it before I would send them a trigger. No money was exchanged or will be exchanged for these triggers. This is just something I wanted to do for my fellow shooters.

Aim small, miss small my friends…

Thanks for reading, Clint

Getting the news

I guess I really didn't know how to feel after the accident. I really didn't know what was going on. I don't remember much for about a month after the accident. The first thing I remember is the doctor getting my family together and telling me that I will be paralyzed for the rest of my life.

When you're 15 I don't think you realize what that means. I don't think it matters how old you are when someone tells you that. That you are going to be paralyzed for the rest of your life. How could one be prepared for that? How could one be prepared for that at any age? How do you take all of that in? How do you comprehend what just happened? How do you know what is going to change in your life? How do you know what you can't do anymore? How do you know what you can do anymore?

I remember when they released me from the hospital. I remember thinking why are they releasing me? I am not fixed. I cannot walk. I cannot do the things I used to be able to do. When you go to the hospital, aren't they supposed to fix you? When you are young you do not realize how fragile life is.

The hardest thing was when I went home for the first time. That was about two and half months after my accident. I knew it was never going to be the same. That is when it finally hit me that I was going to be different from now on. That I was never going to be the same. The ride home from the hospital was painful. I was in a van. Everything was different. Everything was never going to be the same. I remember hitting a bump North of Alice and my arm fell off of the wheelchair tray. I couldn't get my arms back on the tray. I remember crying. If I couldn't do this, how was I going to do anything?

When we did get home, the house had been remodeled for a wheelchair. Instead of going in the regular door, we pulled up to the South side of the house and I got out on a ramp. This was new. This was not normal. This was scary. I remember when I got inside my aunt and uncle were there. For some reason I broke down. I don't remember much after that.

I really don't remember too much about that whole first year. Just glimpses of events. Mostly I just remember what people tell me. I think that is part of the brains the way of dealing with an event that is too big for it to handle.

Looking back at that now, I am glad that I went through it. I am glad that I remember what I do remember. It makes me realize that I have come a long ways. That life doesn't always suck. It only sucks if you let it suck.

Thanks for reading, Clint