|
Mark
Slides of the 2010 hunt
This year’s Under Broken Wings participant is 13-year-old Mark Lindstrom
from Pennsylvania. Mark suffers from the same disease that took his dad’s
life when Mark was only 16 months old. It’s known as Legg-Calf-Perthes
Disease along with Prothombin 2 Mutant Factor. This severe hip disease
deteriorates the hip and continues to clot Mark’s blood. Mark’s very loving
and caring mother, Christina, married Brian Williams and now Brian has a
fishing and hunting buddy again. Mark is not only blessed with a new dad,
Mark also has a little sister, Madison, who is 7 years old, and an 11 year
old brother named Wesley. Sadly, Wesley also has the same blood clotting
and Prothombin 2 Mutant Factor. Christina was pregnant with Wesley when
their father passed away. Christina is a full-time, stay-at-home mom and
devotes her time to taking care of her family.
Mark is unable to play sports or anything that involves much contact or running.
But believe me when I say that the family is excited for this year’s National
Grouse and Woodcock Hunt (NGWH) in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Their excitement
is so abundant I either get a phone call, text message, or an email once a day!
Mark just recently finished his 13th hip surgery at the age of 13. What a trooper
this little boy is - yet he still looks at life as a great thing, just like
his little brother. Mark’s stepdad, Brian, takes the time to go fishing and hunting
with Mark since Mark is not able to compete in sports or other strenuous activities.
Mark and Brian joined a local group called Fishers of Men, and they go to
tournaments to catch mainly bass. This family has a tremendous amount of fun
with fishing, hunting and camping. Mark said this about his sister and his father.
“I love to do anything outdoors with her and love fishing and helping her when I can.
My dad is a paramedic and doesn’t get much time away from the job due to his saving
peoples’ lives.” They love to do anything together that consists of family time.
Mark and his family give many thanks to the RGS and UBW family for selecting them
to join us at the 2010 NGWH. They hope their fulfilled dream will be an inspiration
to many other families in the future.
Christina recently commented on her family’s remarkable philosophy,
“Life isn’t always easy but live today like there is no tomorrow. Always remember
we don’t know how long we have in life until we don’t have that life anymore.
So live happy and be thankful for what we have.”
|
