Jason’s Story
One summer, working as a young Direct Support Professional (DSP), I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Ricke,
who was receiving Participant Assistance and Care (PAC) through his state-sponsored Medicaid Waiver. Our
relationship took off as we bonded over the love of fishing. Mr. Ricke’s numerous conditions sometimes created
barriers for doing the hobbies he loved, but with the help of a Direct Support Professional (DSP), so much was possible.
Jason and I spent most of our summers fishing on Lake Santee. During that time I learned so much from Jason,
particularly about the best bass fishing techniques. Jason would flip his line in between docks, waiting for his prize…
Splash! Out of the water jumped a largemouth bass. Jason would set the hook, yanking his fishing pole over his right
shoulder, reeling in the fish like a professional. The lakefront homeowners cheered Jason from their back porches:
“Nice catch, Jason!”. His excitement for fishing seemed to never cease. His hobby brought him a sense of community
and belonging. His identity was shaped through his fishing pursuits. I was thankful to be along for the boat rides, even
though Jason would say, “You’re not tournament ready”. On those long, summer days, the sun seemed to hang in the
sky forever. My job hardly seemed like work, holding a fishing pole, enjoying the sunset’s golden reflection off the
lake water. I wish those days lasted forever.
Jason’s condition began depleting a few years after our first acquaintance. My role transformed from fishing
partner to healthcare transporter. Jason’s kidneys were failing. As a result, Jason dedicated a huge amount of time to
dialysis treatments. His conditions created a domino of health effects. Jason suffered many catastrophic medical
events. Jason knew his time was short, but we were determined to make our days count, not count our days. We
managed a successful fishing trip and campfire cookout at Lake Monroe, followed by an evening trip to Lake Santee
when Jason caught his record size, favorite fish, the largemouth bass. Not long thereafter, Jason was scheduled for a
minor outpatient surgery to cauterize his superficial veins in order to increase his blood pressure, which had been
abnormally low. Prior to the surgery, we must have asked the doctor a hundred questions. Post-procedure, when
Jason awoke from the anesthesia his oxygen levels took a few hours to recover, and the hospital seemed determined to
get him out the door and on his way.
The next day Jason was back in the hospital – This time in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). His lungs were carrying
a profound amount of fluid, as his kidneys were unable to filter his blood to sufficiently excrete unneeded fluids.
Jason fought hard. Shortly thereafter, God rescued Jason, and his pain here on earth was no longer. This experience
was incredibly hard as a caregiver.
Jason is a huge reason Assisted Independence started. Weeks after his death, I realized more could have been
done to delay the outcome. Perhaps we could have had a few more fishing trips. We both had dreamed about going to
Dale Hallow, one of the nation’s best bass fishing destinations. If Jason’s cardiologist who performed the surgery had
consulted Jason’s nephrologist (kidney doctor), perhaps dialysis could have been conducted before, during, and/or
after the surgery to prevent excessive fluid retention. Reducing anesthetics and reducing intravenous fluid intake, or
using anesthesia alternatives, might have prevented Jason from accumulating the fluid in his lungs that eventually
led to his death.
The Recreational Therapist can play a vital role in helping individuals manage many life aspects, such as
healthcare, diet, fitness, employment, education, and so much more. Recreation brought Jason happiness. Recreation,
specifically fishing, was the driving force in his life. Fishing brought exercise, socialization, education, and numerous
other beneficial outcomes. In Jason’s final years, fishing was the reason he fought. Assisted Independence vows to
grow the Recreational Therapy profession in a manner that honors Jason, so others can have the best possible care.
Although Jason is gone fishing, his experiences propel a bright future for individuals with disabilities.