"You don't inspire people by revealing your superpowers; you inspire people by helping them reveal their own superpowers." —Alexander den Heijer
Ask Weston Jenkins what Disabled Outdoorsmen USA (DOUSA) is all about, and he might use a quote like this sometimes. But every time, he will definitely tell you it's not about him.
Jenkins's cousin, TJ, grew up with a condition known as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, considered among the most severe types of muscular dystrophy. Despite his circumstances, TJ grew up participating in outdoor activities, which inspired Jenkins to look for opportunities for other disabled individuals to experience the outdoors. This first-hand experience of watching someone he loved face obstacles motivated Jenkins to establish DOUSA in 2017 as an organization dedicated to offering inclusive outdoor adventures.
Since the organization's inception, the Boerne-based nonprofit has become a source of inspiration, giving hope to people with disabilities. Jenkins and his team embarked on a unique mission to create an environment that dismantles barriers and provides adaptive resources, guides, and tools for people with disabilities. More than two hundred disabled outdoor enthusiasts have participated in DOUSA programs, and their inclusive approach not only empowers individual participants but also strengthens a broader community of allies, supporters, and nature lovers.
Some of the most potent aspects of DOUSA's work come from participants' stories. Many individuals who join DOUSA programs are overcoming intense physical, mental, and emotional challenges, but their experiences outdoors become defining moments of resilience and achievement.
As a disabled person, the idea of participating in outdoor activities can be a daunting challenge for the uninitiated. Larry Quintero suffered a spinal cord injury at the age of twenty. After a career competing in wheelchair tennis, he turned his energy toward the outdoors, and he encourages others to give it a try. "Don't be worried. Give it a shot. If you're not an outdoorsman, that's fine," Quintero says. "There is something special about getting up in the morning and seeing a sunrise. It's about the whole experience of just being out there. Once you experience that, life changes forever."
Participants in DOUSA's programs often describe the experience as life-changing, giving them a sense of independence they never felt before. They frequently describe the events as empowering and freeing, a testament to the personal growth that these experiences bring. These stories of transformation are catalysts for hope, inspiring others to believe in the potential of individuals with disabilities.
The organization's programs include guided hunts, fishing trips, and community events. "We do a fishing trip in North Carolina once a year," Jenkins gives as an example. "We fly our participants out with an ADA-accessible charter bus that picks them up from the airport, and about seven or eight volunteers fly out with them." All of their offerings focus on providing the participants with the most total experience possible, using adaptive equipment and experienced guides so they may develop outdoor skills, connect with nature, and build confidence in their capabilities.
The organization works with various people, from young children to adults with disabilities and anyone facing physical or mental barriers to outdoor recreation. They regularly join forces with other organizations serving the disabled community. "We'll partner up with the Texas Paralyzed Veterans Association,” Jenkins says, “and have kids out there with us, our participants, and paralyzed veterans."
It’s his organization's commitment to inclusivity that excites Jenkins. "Our participants come from all walks of life with different disabilities,” he continues. “Some are mental, some are physical, some are quads, and others are paras. But, they all come together and realize they aren't alone."
While the focus is on providing opportunities for the disabled community, the bigger picture unfolds from their excursions like a picturesque landscape: "Our experienced participants become mentors to our newcomers," Jenkins says. "It goes well beyond the trip. The trip is the icing on the cake. The lessons they learn while they're on the trip is what it's all about."
DOUSA's work extends far beyond the individuals they serve and the trips they take. By promoting inclusivity in outdoor activities, the organization plays a significant role in shifting societal attitudes about disabilities. Families and friends of participants relate increased happiness, self-esteem, and a sense of community. This societal impact is a testament to the importance of inclusivity and the potential for positive change when everyone can participate. "I knew right from the start that I wanted to appeal to a broad range of the disabled," says Jenkins. "TJ has had MD. He's not a veteran or a first responder. He was older when I first started it, so I didn't want to appeal to just the youth."
To do so, DOUSA organizes community gatherings, fundraisers, and social events, building a supportive network for people with disabilities. These events foster camaraderie, promote inclusivity, and help raise awareness of the importance of adaptive outdoor experiences. They also create a platform for the broader community to show their support. While Jenkins welcomes financial support, he makes a bold statement to those who want to know how to best support the work they do. "Don't give us a dollar," he proclaims, "until you come to experience one of our trips and hear from a participant how their life changed."
As for the future, Jenkins plans to enhance the trips they take. "The equipment that TJ has is very expensive, and a lot of people need the means to buy it," he describes. "Eventually, we want to be able to give them the equipment they need, so they can live the life they want."
Considering the impact DOUSA's work has on the mental health of its participants, Jenkins is eager to point out the benefits of getting outdoors. He explains: "Harvard did a study back in the 1900s called 'The Outdoor Prescription,' and it's about how the outdoors can give someone a reason to live, prolong life, give someone purpose. Getting out in nature is very important to the newly injured who think their life is over. We want them to know they can still do it. It's just about learning a new way of doing things."
SIDEBAR 1:
Meet Larry Quintero
Two years after he graduated from Lee High School in San Antonio, DOUSA leader Larry Quintero's life changed forever. "I was shot at a party," he recounts. "I was the only one who sustained a gunshot wound, and I was paralyzed from the waist down."
Quintero was determined not to let this be the end of his story. He discovered a love for tennis through an adaptive sports program. In 2004, he competed around the world as a US Paralympian. Today, Quintero is married to his high school sweetheart, Kelly. They have two daughters, Mia and Carlee, who play college softball.
"It's not a disability, it's an inconvenience,” Quintero declares, smiling. "I can do anything anyone else can do; it just takes a little longer.”
SIDEBAR 2:
disabledoutdoorsmen.com | 830-796-0893
Disabled Outdoorsmen USA invites you to their annual banquet on February 1st at Pedrotti's Ranch. For DOUSA, this is an opportunity to advocate for the healing power of the outdoors to people with disabilities.
The event features dinner, raffles, and a silent auction. Participation levels range from individual seating to table and game sponsorships.
“Getting out in nature is very important to the newly injured who think their life is over. We want them to know they can still do it." —Weston Jenkins