Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2019 - 43

talk, and it's not like patient and therapist.
We are just people going fishing. They enjoy
that freedom."
Participants experience the social benefits
of fishing with others who are also recovering
with a disability. Once they return to the
hospital, Subrick hangs pictures of the fish
they caught on their doors. Like most anglers,
they enjoy bragging to each other. They also
receive acknowledgement from the hospital
staff on what a great job they are doing.

Fishing for a lifetime

photos-Miranda Smith

One of the reasons Subrick chose fishing
as a rehabilitative leisure activity is that it
can be continued at an affordable cost to the
patient. Any adaptive fishing gear that is used
during the "Gone Fishing" trip is matched
up to the patient's individualized needs.
Subrick is intent on purchasing gear that is
affordable for the patient to purchase and
Michael Ruffin fishing with his family and therapeutic staff. He is using a one- shares purchasing information with his or
her family.
handed power rod.
Fishing is truly an activity that can be
enjoyed by people of any age, physical ability
patients and their family members to encounter and conquer and socioeconomic status. Fishing opportunities can be
obstacles within the community. The patients will need
found in almost any location-whether it be urban, rural
these skills once they are released from the hospital. The
or suburban. The PFBC encourages anglers to let nothing
fishing trip gives them the practice they need to build their
hold them back when it comes to fishing in Pennsylvania's
confidence, so they continue to get out in the community
great fishing waters. A listing of PFBC facilities with
on their own. "They feel a lot more comfortable going home
accommodations for persons with disabilities can be found
after they experience something like this, because if they
at https://pfbc.pa.gov/fishpub/summaryad/disabilities.
can make it down to PNC Park and back in a wheelchair or
htm. In addition to this list, anglers may check with local,
power chair, they are doing pretty good," said Subrick.
county and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation &
Obstacles encountered include uneven sidewalk surfaces, Natural Resources waterways for accessible fishing locations
street crossings, elevators, ramps, double doors and public
in their area.
transportation. Therapists provide assistance and support
For more information about the Gone Fishing program
along the way. Afterwards, the patients' primary therapy
or adaptive fishing equipment, contact Char Subrick at
team receives a report about the patients' performance and
subrickcs@upmc.edu.
problem areas noted during the experience, so
they can continue to work on them.

Fishing as therapy

The patients who participate in the "Gone
Fishing" program are recovering from a sudden,
life-changing event, such as a stroke, amputation
or spinal cord injury, impacting how they
experience everyday life. The benefits of taking
part in the program are numerous. Participants
practice hand and eye coordination through
casting, retrieving and baiting hooks. Gripping
the rod and standing for a period of time builds
strength. While some patients were already
anglers, for others it was their first time fishing.
Beyond the physical benefits, the "Gone
Fishing" program is terrific therapy for the mind
and soul. During the outing, Subrick said, "We
all work as a team. As the group walks, we all
www.fishandboat.com

Tom Walker fishing with his family and therapeutic staff. He is using a sip-n-puff
rod with a wheelchair mount.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2019

https://pfbc.pa.gov/fishpub/summaryad/disabilities.htm https://pfbc.pa.gov/fishpub/summaryad/disabilities.htm http://www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2019

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