Others Explain What The "Gone Fishin' Not Just Wishin'" Days Mean to Them

EDITOR'S NOTE: Once a year, my son Hunter takes me fishing with him. I look forward to this day all year because Hunter is different from my other two children. Six months after my wife gave birth to this bright, bouncing baby boy, Hunter developed severe epilepsy. He began to spend the night in the hospital an average of two to four nights a week for the next two years and today is both physically and mentally challenged. But every year the Jefferson County School System near Birmingham, Alabama, sponsors a "Gone Fishin' Not Just Wishin'" two days of fishing for its special students, including Hunter. Here's a look at what the fishing days mean to the people involved.

* Shamika Green, a student at Gilmore Bell School in the Jefferson County School System, experienced her first fishing trip this year at the "Gone Fishin' Not Just Wishin'" day. "This fishing is really fun," Green said with a huge smile on her face as she showed everyone her catfish. "I'm scared of the fish because this is the first fish I've ever caught, but it was sure fun reeling him in. I'm gonna try and catch me another one."

* Jerry Moss, fisheries biologist With Alabama's Department of Conservation, has actively participated in the "Gone Fishin' Not Just Wishin'" program since its inception. "When we found out the special-education students in Jefferson County wanted to go fishing but didn't have a way to go, a place to fish or fish to catch, we began working with the other sponsors to make this fishing dream come true. We set up this program to be an annual event, and we try to make sure all the children catch a fish while they're out here."

* Chris Johnson, parent of Sara George, a student, says that Sara, one of the children who fished with Jerry Moss this year, has cerebral palsy and has to fish from a wheelchair. But, "Sara really loves to go fishing. This fishing program allows Sara and the other special children the chance to do some of the things other people do, like fishing. Sara was up at 5:30 a.m. this morning because she was so excited about getting to go fishing."

* Toivires Pouncey, a special-education student, fished with Chad Spain, one of the members of the Hoover Outdoorsmen's Club. Pouncey caught the first fish of his lifetime -- a nice bass -- at this year's "Gone Fishin' Not Just Wishin'" event.

"This fishing was really fun," Pouncey said. "I liked reeling the fish in, and I also liked being able to throw him back."

* Kim Adams, an employee of Alabama Power in the accounting department, left her job for the day to come out and help special children learn to fish. "We love children at Alabama Power," Adams said. "We want to make sure every child enjoys a good and healthy life, and we want to do everything we can to help provide that experience for special children, as well as all other children. I came out to help these special children because it means so much to me to help these kids do something they won't be able to do if the other volunteers and I aren't here.

"This is my first year to help. But I'll certainly be back. I've gotten as much out of this experience, if not more, than what I've given."

The "Gone Fishin', Not Just Wishin'" program had to overcome the hurdle of how to get enough rods, reels, lines, hooks and sinkers for thousands of children and volunteers to fish. To solve this problem, the Zebco Company stepped in and sent rods, reels and lines to make this program a reality. Other local and national sponsors volunteered time, money and personnel to help these special children have a day of fishing like other children do. If you'd like to volunteer product, money or your help for next year's "Gone Fishin' Not Just Wishin'" days in May 2001, call Wanda Westbrook or Treva McDougal at the Burkett Center in Birmingham, Alabama, (205) 379-2800; or email Treva at TMcdou5512@aol.com.

Some of these sponsors and volunteers besides parents, grandparents, teachers and support staff, included ...

* the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources -- the Enforcement Division, the State Parks Division and the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries,

* Alabama Power,

* Zebco Corporation, * Lakeshore Foundation,

* EBSCO Industries (parent company of PRADCO),

* Syx Bait and Tackle,

* B.A.S.S. Federation,

* Coca-Cola,

* Golden Flake Products,

* Lee and Martha Humber and friends,

* Alagasco,

* Waste Management of Alabama,

* Jefferson State Occupational Therapy Assistant Program,

* Jefferson State Physical Therapy Assistant Program,

* Dairy Queen in Pelham, Alabama,

* Lowe-Go Sportswear,

* Ken's Bar-B-Que,

* Pelham Police and Fire Departments,

* Kimberly Clark,

* Disabled Sportsmen of Alabama,

* Steve Staggs,

* Jefferson County Schools -- transportation and special education departments,

* Outdoorsmen's Club from Hoover High School, Hoover, Alabama,

* Phil King, who owns the Little Catman Fishing Service in Corinth, Mississippi, and provided the catfish fillets volunteers cooked to give the children the chance to taste freshly-caught and cooked fish. Also King's clients and friends pitched in the catfish they caught: Donnie R. Hall of Nashville, TN; Jeff Cregeen and James Chappell of Corinth, MS; Ward Johnson of Tampa, FL; Charles Day of Tallahassee, FL; Grant L. Lewis of Tishomingo, MS; and Matt Holmes of Ohio.

Tomorrow: Meet More Folks From The "Gone Fishin' Not Just Wishin'" Days At Oak Mountain State Park