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A Lion in the Woods

There is a Lion in the woods of Michigan. I know it sounds impossible, but he is out there lurking about, looking to surprise his next unsuspecting visitor. This particular Lion used to cripple his opponents and leave them for dead on the grassy green fields of battle. Among the rest of his Lion pride, he may not have been the best well known, but now that he has grown older, and wiser, this particular Lion has grown into a leader of his own pride.

After three years of retirement from the NFL, former Detroit Lion Tony Semple has found a new home, in the woods, working with terminally ill and specially challenged people.. After recognizing that many wish-granting foundations are no longer willing to include hunting related activities in their offerings, Tony decided to fulfill these outdoor dreams for children.

“It’s not so much about the hunting” says Tony, “ It’s about strong personal relationships that are built around the campfire, on the river and in the blind” In this case, it seems, whatever your position happens to be on hunting is irrelevant. The fact of the matter is that these children who battle life and death situations on a daily basis, are able to, for at least a weekend, divert their reality.


As a hunt weekend guest I was instantly immersed in the experience. After all, there’s no easing into something like this. Emotions hang on families and volunteers like heavy ripe apples that are ready to fall to the ground at any instant. As I conversed with the families and questioned them about their experience, voices cracked, and eyes slowly welled up as they spoke about the meaning of this weekend.. Bill Bigger from Macomb Michigan beamed with pride as he sat with arm around his son a golf cart. “This is a time when my son and I can just get away from everything. I turned my phone off, left the problems of the world behind, and we are going to do whatever Wesley wants to do for 4 days”

Wesley, now 17 years old was struck by a drunk driver in 2004 while riding his bicycle. The accident left Wesley with a traumatic brain injury and limited mobility in his legs. As I watched the two interact, I couldn’t help but notice that today was much more than a hunting trip for these two. Their demeanor was completely care free. Hugs and kisses were shared in an environment that, for most men, would consist of boasting conquests over beers and dirty jokes.

Eric Schilling, of Pickney, MI suffers from downs syndrome. Eric claims to be “over ten years old”. His grandfather, Ron Frank, reminds him that he is 17 as he pats him on the shoulder. When I met Eric at the beginning of the weekend he was very shy and un responsive. He communicated with one word answers, mostly “yes” and “no“. I had a difficult time understanding how Eric was going to receive the weekend, much less, shoot a deer. How naïve I was. Eric, ended up being the highlight of my trip.

Over the weekend, I watched this quiet child transform into the life of the party. The spirit of Eric and children like him cannot be overstated. “It’s about soul” says event director Craig Mortz. “This experience breaths new life into everyone…It’s completely real” This statement was reinforced as I watched Eric at the campfire that evening doing his best Elvis impersonation to the delight of the crowd. As I watched Eric shake his leg and run his fingers through his hair, I laughed and silently criticized myself for ever underestimating this boy.

As it turns out, the weekend “buck” hunt turned out to be much more than harvesting a deer. It was about the celebration of life and indulging in laughter without guilt. It was about spirituality and reflectance on how lucky we all are, disability or no disability. I saw a grown man cry uncontrollably as he watched Eric gently stroke the face of his freshly downed 8 point buck. I believe some of life’s greatest lessons are born from innocence. Eric punctuated that for me.

The Semple Foundation for Hope, does indeed, foster hope. It is real. There are no political boundaries, no ego’s, and you will rarely here the word “I”. “It is completely about the kids” says Tony as we anxiously drove down the trail to meet the next child. “If you think this program is great now, just wait till next year, we’re going to explode.” Judging by what I have seen, I have no doubt.

Just a note.. Any good story ends up with the hero getting the girl. This story is no different.. In this case, Eric, fell in love and ended up stealing kisses from the “hot babe” (the cook). It just doesn’t get any better than this.

For more information on the Tony Semple Foundation , you can visit them on the web at: http://www.tonysemplefoundation.org
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