The morning air was crisp, and excitement buzzed through the group as decoys were set in place. Today wasn’t just another spring turkey hunt — it was a Kids with Disabilities Adventures (KWD Adventures) outing, and three remarkable young hunters were about to make memories that would last a lifetime.
KWD Adventures is a nonprofit dedicated to taking kids with special needs into the outdoors — giving them the chance to fish, hunt, and experience the wild in ways many thought impossible. This hunt would showcase not just the beauty of the outdoors, but also the creativity, determination, and compassion it takes to make such adventures possible.
Damen’s Ridge-Top Tom
First up was 15-year-old Damen Bash from Sandy, Utah. Damen lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but he’s the kind of kid who meets every challenge with the question, “How can I do this?” instead of “Can I do this?”
Because Damen doesn’t have the strength to pull a traditional trigger, the KWD team engineered a custom push-button firing mechanism — complete with double safety switches — so he could hunt independently. After hours of tinkering, testing, and adjusting, the setup was perfect.
The morning hunt came up empty, but that evening at a property up Hobble Creek, fortune changed. A tom answered the team’s calls from high on a ridge. Against the odds, the bird flew straight down to the decoys — something even veteran hunters rarely see at 4 p.m.
“Just stay calm,” Damen told himself as he lined up the shot. One steady push of the button, and the tom was down. Cheers erupted. “Your trigger mechanism worked perfect, bud!” someone called out. Damen’s smile said the rest.
Missy’s Long-Awaited Bird
Next in the field was Missy Cowie, a determined young woman born with spina bifida. Missy’s life has been defined not by her disability, but by her achievements — from competing in the National Miss Amazing pageant to cheering at West Jordan High.
Turkey hunting had been on her bucket list for years, and with the help of KWD and a generous landowner, she finally had her chance. The setup was tricky — her wheelchair needed to be angled in the blind for the perfect shot — but the volunteers worked seamlessly to make it happen.
Within hours, two massive toms came strutting in. “Front one! Hit him again!” the guides urged. Missy stayed focused, firing until her bird was down. When she finally held the tom, its long beard swinging in the sunlight, she laughed and said, “That’s nice. Way nice.”
Carter’s Comeback
The final hunter of the day was 23-year-old Carter Kasanova. Just over a year ago, Carter’s life changed in an instant when an ATV accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. But Carter’s spirit never broke — he approaches life with an easy smile and a readiness to try anything.
The KWD crew had another surprise for him before the hunt: an all-terrain “action traction” wheelchair, donated through the efforts of Tyler Shepard Construction and other supporters. It meant Carter could get into places most wheelchairs couldn’t — snow, mud, fields — opening up whole new worlds of adventure.
In the basin that afternoon, guide Travis called in a flock. Two huge toms made their way to the decoys. Carter took aim, moved the gun slowly, and pulled the trigger. His tom crumpled to the ground.
“That’s as good as it gets,” one of the guides said, beaming. Carter just grinned, holding his bird — a massive trophy and a symbol of resilience.
More Than a Hunt
For the volunteers, landowners, donors, and guides, this wasn’t just about harvesting turkeys. It was about proving that with the right support and creativity, the outdoors can be accessible to everyone. It was about laughter in the blinds, problem-solving in the field, and that moment when a young hunter holds their bird for the first time.
As one KWD leader put it, “You take these kids out, and it changes not only their lives, but ours too. The things we see and get to experience — it’s life-changing.”
From adaptive gear to donated properties, from skilled calling to pure generosity, every piece came together to make this day possible. The hunts were a testament to what happens when a community rallies around a cause.
Want to get involved?
You can donate, nominate a youth, or learn more. Whether it’s hunting, fishing, or simply spending time outside, KWD Adventures is proving that nature is for everyone — and that sometimes, the best trophies are the smiles along the way.