Disabled vet loves the outdoors

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Military veteran Stacey Twiggs has always loved the outdoors, even before he was severely injured while serving during the First Gulf War.

It’s been exactly 20 years since that injury on Feb. 5, 1992, and this weekend Twiggs is a guest of Nick Patronis on a spot of hunting land in north Bay County, part of a segment being filmed for the TV show Destination Whitetail and set up in conjunction with The News Herald. The show focuses on “hidden gem” hunting spots across the country and, in this case, the healing effects of outdoor life. This episode, to air in the fall, is designed to highlight that the Bay County area has more to offer than sandy white beaches and that while most of the country may not be aware of it, the Panhandle offers prime whitetail hunting only a short drive from the coast.

The show will air on either Outdoor Channel or NBC Sports. A second show for Deer and Deer Hunter is also being filmed here and features local hunters, including News Herald Editor Mike Cazalas, hunting while talking about their experiences here.

It took two years of hospital rehabilitation in California before Twiggs was able to venture out and do the things he loved, such as fishing and hunting, but when he got back to it, “I’ve found my inspiration from the outdoors,” he said.

But Twiggs has never bagged a big buck, and was looking forward to this weekend.

Twiggs, who currently lives near Orlando, became involved with Destination Whitetail while living in Texas after his discharge from the U.S. Navy led to helping other paralyzed vets and youngsters.

Twiggs, a marvel of inspiration, said the last 20 years since his lower body was crushed on the guided missile frigate USS George Philip “have been a blessing.”

“It’s been 20 years of borrowed time, is how I look at it,” he said.

The Patronis family, which also owns Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant, has had the hunting land for 50 years. Growing large white-tail deer out there, and sharing that hunting experience with the disabled, has become a passion of his, Patronis said.

“I want to give opportunities to people that don’t have them,” he said. “Whatever I can do, I hope it brings joy to them.”

Patronis said he never wants his children to take anything for granted, such as their health and mobility, and showing them the strength of individuals facing and overcoming disabilities reinforces the lesson.

It’s an idea that fits like a glove with the thinking of Twiggs, who said “when I got out of the hospital, I realized how much I had taken for granted.”

Twiggs, a 21-year-old gunners mate missile technician at the time of his injury, vividly recalls when his lower body was crushed by the operation of a missile launcher during a training mission. Although not in a combat area, he thought he was going to die, and he prayed.

Since then he has met his wife, Debbie. They both now have a 13-year-old daughter, Torri. If not for his injury, he said, his wife and daughter would not have come into his life. In a way, “my injury was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Now, he’s a writer and photographer and goes fishing all over the world. An upcoming trip is planned for Brazil to go after the exotic peacock bass.

“If there are fish tugging on the other end of the line, I’m a happy man,” he said.

Patronis said he began taking disabled kids to his hunting land about two years ago. A youngster with muscular dystrophy will be out there Sunday, “and we will carry him up into that tree stand if we have to.”

He said the tree stand is 8-by-8 and large enough for parents to accompany their children.

Although Saturday’s hunt was unsuccessful, Twiggs and the group will try again Sunday.

“It’s been pretty overwhelming,” Twiggs said. “I’ve been humbled by the opportunity.”