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Larry the Cable Guy helps youngster get back in the hunt with wheelchair ATV

Blake Werts loves hunting, fishing and laughing with his family and friends. The Scott Middle School 7th grader from Lincoln, Neb., doesn't let cerebral palsy limit his activities. Blake loves to get outside with his brother, Bryce, and his friends. Now, thanks to Larry the Cable Guy's Git-R-Done Foundation making a $25,000 donation to The Hope First Equipment Fund at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, Blake can finally get out into the fields of Nebraska to hunt for pheasants, quail and maybe even a deer.

"Blake is a great kid and I'm glad we could help him out. I feel sorry for the pheasants though. With those new ATV wheels, Blake will be baggin' his limit," said Larry the Cable Guy.



Working with a wheelchair expert from Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, where Blake gets outpatient treatment each week, the Git-R-Done Foundation donation funded a specialized ATV wheelchair that will allow Blake to move over all types of terrain. It even manages in snow, which is a good thing considering the 30+ inches that has covered eastern Nebraska this winter. In addition, Hanger Seating and Mobility discounted the specialized wheelchair and fabricated a gun mount and ramp to access Blake's hunting trailer to help on his hunts.

"I thank Larry for this awesome ATV," said Blake. "I'm going to go everywhere with it. I want to drive it to school!"

The X8-Extreme by Innovations in Motion is a powerful, electric motorized vehicle with 14" knobby tires for excellent traction. Driving on sand, soft ground, snowy or wet ground, or even slippery surfaces presents no problems to the Extreme. This is made possible by the patented passive steering system, a breakthrough in wheelchair design. Blake controls the wheelchair through a joystick that provides 360 degree turning, acceleration and reverse options.

"Rehabilitation is about helping people do the things they enjoy. We are delighted to help kids like Blake through a variety of adaptive sports and recreation activities and workshops. Many people don't realize all the options that are available in adaptive sports, like wheelchair basketball, soccer and rugby, fishing, golf, sled hockey, hand cycling and horseback riding," said Marsha Lommel, president and CEO of Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital.

"We thank Larry's Git-R-Done Foundation for their generosity. Words cannot express our gratitude for their perfect gift for Blake. Blake is very active outside and this will really increase his mobility. This is a great day," said Kevin Werts, Blake's dad.

See photos from the event at Madonna's Photobucket page.

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