Moses Lake teen is treated to a hunting trip

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake High School senior Victor Garcia doesn't let his disability stop him. With the help of Youth Outdoors Unlimited (Y.O.U.), Garcia was able to fulfill his dream to go hunting.

Garcia, 18, suffers from cerebral palsy, a disorder that severely affects his motor skills and movement. Cindy Carpenter, of Y.O.U., said they heard about Garcia from several people in Moses Lake and were finally able to connect with him. Carpenter said Garcia, an accomplished student despite his limiting disability, loves Moses Lake businesses Tri-State Outfitters and High Mountain Hunting Supply.

Although his mother, Adalina, was not able to provide her son with an outdoor hunting experience, Y.O.U. stepped up.

"Victor expressed a desire to go on a hunt when we talked with his mom, Adalina Rojas." Carpenter said. "We received Victor's application for a hunt early in 2013 and the organization went to work to coordinate and provide this adventure."

Although Garcia can't speak, he can communicate with the assistance of a computer.

"It was heartwarming as Victor's mom knows him so well and communicates with him," Carpenter said. "She knows his likes and dislikes and knows how to communicate with him so he makes his own decisions. Adalina chooses for Victor to experience anything in life that he chooses if at all possible."

Before heading out, Tri-State Outfitters in Moses Lake offered to outfit Garcia for his hunt, including providing his hunting clothing, base layers, gloves, hats and boots.

Garcia, along with Y.O.U Directors Chris Newhouse and Dan Couture, headed out to Elk, Wash. in October on property with hunting privileges donated to the organization by landowner Jerry Woods. Woods also provided a hunting trip for a child last year.

Hunting opportunities on private land are critical because they help Y.O.U. provide a safe and controlled hunting experience, Carpenter said.

Garcia's disability does not allow for him to hold a gun or pull a trigger, but thanks to a gun mount and biting apparatus donated to Y.O.U. last year, Garcia was able to get his first deer.

"Chris and Dan met Victor's physical challenges in order to provide him a trip of a lifetime and a very blessed hunt," Carpenter said. "Victor was able to harvest a four-by-four White Tail with their guidance and personal hunting experience. The success of a hunting or fishing adventure is not in the harvest, but in providing the youth and their families the overall hunting or fishing experience that hunters and anglers look forward to."

Y.O.U is a Moses Lake-based nonprofit corporation organized to take youth diagnosed with a life-threatening illness or physical disability on fully-funded and guided hunting or fishing adventures. This organization started in 2011 and continues its mission to help youth like Garcia experience the outdoors through the financial support of the Columbia Basin and sponsors.

Y.O.U. is currently accepting applications for the 2014 hunting and fishing season. Applications will be accepted until April 15. These trips are provided through financial contributions and the annual auction, which is set for March 8 at the Best Western Lake Front Inn in Moses Lake. Those unable to attend the auction but still wishing to make a financial donation can mail a check to Chris Newhouse, J.R. Newhouse & Co., 528 W. Broadway Avenue, Moses Lake, 98837. Checks can be made out to Y.O.U.