Jim Protaskey needs an Action Trackchair

Born in Bellevue, Nebraska Jim Protaskey is one of six children. All his life Jim spent his days outdoors fishing, trapping, hunting, and motorcycling. He shares his passion by helping and teaching others about broadening their horizons in nature.

Jim has been a heavy equipment operator since the age of 14, as well as a welder, landscaper, contractor, truck driver and a boom truck operator pulling railroad equipment. He is thankful for these experiences as they allowed him to hunt, fish, and trap his way across our great country, an opportunity he never would have had otherwise. During his travels, Jim met everyone with openness and offered his skills no matter the subject. No one was a stranger to Jim, and he never asked for anything in return.

In February of 2022, Jim began noticing that his left leg was weakening. He started falling sporadically, causing multiple sprains and deep bruising. As time passed, extreme pain and burning in both legs set in. He was no longer sleeping or moving unaided. Visits to doctors, emergency rooms and specialists were all increasing, but his pain and ambulatory complications persisted. By November, the 6'5", 255 lb. active outdoorsman was using a walker. His diagnosis at the time was diabetic neuropathy, but he wasn’t convinced this was it. His progression worsened and after a few weeks of waiting to hear from the specialists, he was in a mobility chair.

Taking matters into his own hands Jim set a consultation with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN to get another opinion. On the drive up to his fiancé, Congetta asked, why he didn't seem excited. He solemnly responded with the question, “Do you know how hard it is to be in Minnesota and not go fishing?!”

He booked a campground for his two-day stay. Even though he had to crawl to move about the camper it was better than a hotel because it was nestled in a beautiful county park full of trails, fishing, hiking, and boat ramps. While at the park he was introduced to an all-terrain Action Trackchair, which was donated to the park for visitors with physical disabilities. This wheelchair has tracks like tank treads that can navigate bumpy trails, sand, creeks and hills. The first time he got on he pushed the joystick controller and the chair lunged forward. He looked up from below the rim of his ‘lucky’ fishing hat and let out a deep laugh. He had crazy eyes. He spent all day on that chair, traversing trails all over the park. The chair allowed him to be alone and feel safe. First the first time in over a year he felt alive again.

Towards the end of his stay, he received his diagnosis, and as suspected, it was more than diabetic neuropathy. Notably, the doctor didn’t say that he was going to walk again. He returned to the camper and gazed out of the window. Although he did that a lot, this time was different. He had a new vision. He wondered how he could get a Trackchair of his own and feel freedom again. He thought of how he would outfit the chair with all kinds of outdoor accessories. Most of all he dreamt of taking the grandchildren fishing again.

Jim never envisioned a life without his beloved hobbies. He didn't see this coming and wasn't prepared. He isn't asking God to take away the challenges, he prays for the tools to overcome them. The Action Trackchair is absolutely the tool he needs. He practices patience and strength until he can and will feel the way he did those two days in Minnesota. Now Jim, an all-around true American, needs help. The costly doctor’s office and ER visits over the last year and a half have exhausted Jim and his family’s resources. We have a GoFundMe page set up to raise the $20,000 necessary to purchase the chair.

It would mean a great deal to Jim and his loved ones if you consider making a donation. Every little bit counts, and we believe together we can give Jim his freedom back. Thank you.