Montevideo, Min. (WCCO)- Hunting season is upon us, but reaching a duck blind or deer stand isn’t that easy for some people.
“I love the fresh air and being outside with friends and family,” said Montevideo’s Lance Teben.
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No matter what kind of victim it is, Lance is totally in. Born with cerebral palsy, he quickly developed a love for the outdoors.
“I’ve gotten a buck every year, and last year I got a 14-point buck,” he said.
But if there’s one thing holding Lance back, it’s that his wheelchair wasn’t really made for hunting. Guides push him through all kinds of rough terrain.
“Just trying to drag Lance into this chair here, it was really hard. So we said, hey, let’s try something for the kid,” said Chuck Ellingson of Watson Hunting Camp.
So he did. A fundraiser to raise money for an all-terrain powered wheelchair took off faster than anyone could have imagined. In a very short time, people across the region have donated over $13,000. And on Thursday morning, Lance finally got his new ride.
Lance’s father, Lowell Teben, said, “Excellent, he was smiling from ear to ear.”
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“I’m thankful to all the people who donated and the business and everything. Thank you for doing this for him,” said Lance’s mom, Pam Teben.
“Here we are giving Lance a chair today, it’s all based on a dream,” said Nathan Rudd of Action Manufacturing, the chair’s company. “It’s 100% off-road. There’s not much to stop it.”
Lance’s new chair moves almost like a snowmobile. On Saturday, he will take it on his first hunting trip when he participates in a deer hunt for people with disabilities. Now, it will be the guides’ turn to try to keep up with him.
“I was so happy when I heard they were getting one of these for me. It’s awesome,” Lance said. “It makes me feel like I’m very important. I couldn’t stop smiling and I still can’t stop smiling. “
Lance wanted to thank everyone who donated, including hunting guide Stanton Kelly, who got the idea for the fundraiser. He came from Texas to take lance hunting.
Kelly, Ellingson and Bob Lauritson are hoping to raise money for a second powered wheelchair to place at the Watson Hunting Camp for those who need to use it.
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