WILLING AND ABLE TO HELP

Russ Douglas shares his personal advice for shooters with a disability

- RUSS DOUGLAS

I have a disability. On good days, I hardly notice it when I’m able to achieve most goals I set myself. Then my body annoyingly challenges my intentions, but I still love shooting and find it wonderfully relaxing as well as fun, challenging and productive. The mental challenges of concentration, relaxation and controlled breathing are one thing, but when our body throws in physical difficulties things become more difficult. My main hindrance is back pain, which can massively limit my shooting opportunities. For this reason I try to do all I can do to reduce the stress on my body when out and about.

I try not to pressure myself generally, but sometimes magazine deadlines loom, especially when I realize I haven’t got all the testing done that I’d planned. Other times, there’s a limited weather window for pest control, or kit doesn’t work as expected; beyond my control, but still to be overcome.

Last night was a prime example when I’d hoped to finish reviewing a cool new piece of kit, but battery issues threw a spanner in the works, prompting me to bring this article forward.

Either way, this leads to a massive issue for me, one closely linked to my disability and physical limitations.

KNOW YOUR LIMITS

I try to set myself sensible goals and limits every day, because I need a certain amount of exercise, but not too much; this is especially important if I’m already sore with seemingly ever-present back issues. Hence, ‘only two hours at the club tonight’ and ‘I must let others help by carrying the gear’, or ‘I’ll just pop in past the farm for a quick look around, on the way home from the range’. All too often, though, I bash on regardless and especially if I’m having fun – or success – I forget to sit down, or stand up regularly enough to reduce the inevitable aches.