SPECIAL NEEDS ANGLERS

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SPECIAL NEEDS ANGLERS

Over the years, it had become apparent to Jack and Sue Montgomery, that something more was needed for children and adults with various kinds of physical and mental disabilities. While living in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains has its many advantages, special programs which exist in more populated areas are not available to those with special needs. The Montgomerys daughter, suffering from Cerebral Palsy, inspired them to create a program intended to enrich the lives of its special needs participants. Further, the Montgomerys decided that this new program must be offered to those in need at no cost.

Individuals with the following disabilities commonly participate and benefit from our fishing activities and competitions:

Muscular Dystrophy
Cerebral Palsy
Visual Impairment
Down Syndrome
Mental Retardation
Autism
Multiple Sclerosis
Spina Bifida
Emotional Disabilities
Brain Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries
Amputations
Learning Disabilities
Attention Deficit Disorder
Deafness
Cardiovascular accident/Stroke

Please consider a charitable donation today? Your contribution helps provide services for children and adults of all backgrounds.

Your donation is the gift of life for a special needs angler. Please consider becoming a sponser for $25, $50, $100 or an amount of your choice.

Here are a few of Special Needs Angler objectives:

To provide quality therapeutic and recreational fishing programs under the direction of qualified, professional personnel.

To offer a caring and stimulating environment, which will help individuals in groups experience physical, psychological, and social benefits from sport fishing.
To teach life skills and assist with developing the full potential of children and adults to sport fish.

To teach participants responsibility through participation on the sports fishing team
To raise awareness in the community regarding the programs impact on the challenges faced by youth and those with disabilities.
To continually seek new goals for the program and participants, creating an environment of challenge, enjoyment and achievement.

Over the years, we have seen the following benefits for participants in our fishing programs and competitions:

Physical Benefits

Improved balance and muscle strength

Improved coordination, faster reflexes and increased motor planning

Stretching of tight or spastic muscles

Decreased spasticity

Increased range of motion of joints

Improved respiration and circulation

Stimulates sensory integration

Improved visual spatial perception

Improved eye-hand coordination

Socio-emotional Benefits

Improved self-confidence

Improved risk-taking abilities

Development of patience

Emotional control and self-discipline

Expansion of locus of control