Kaito Au

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Disabled and Paralyzed Veterans' Fishing Tournament (Boston Globe)

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Biography: Hi there! I'm Kaito Au, a Boston University journalist specializing in visual storytelling. I'm currently majoring in International Relations with a regional focus on the Africa and the Middle East. I'm also minoring in journalism,... MORE

Volunteers carry an angler out ... after his return from fishing.

Volunteers carry an angler out of a boat and onto his wheelchair after his return from fishing.

Vincent “Porkchop&... after his return from fishing.

Vincent “Porkchop” Willmott assists Jim Wallack, the bass trail liaison to the NEPVA, after his return from fishing.

Professional angler Craig Casel...e, greets volunteer Dan Kenney.

Professional angler Craig Casella, who volunteered as a boat captain at the tournament for the first time, greets volunteer Dan Kenney.

Oscar Toce, who served as an Ar...and narrow,” he said.

Oscar Toce, who served as an Army Sergeant and lost both of his legs to diabetes, stands while volunteer Megan Nigrelli sings the national anthem. He said Lori Chase, a NEPVA Bass Trail board member, helped change his life. “I was having a lot of issues, and it was her and friends that got me back on the straight and narrow,” he said.

Mark “Tank&rdquo...a ramp after a day of fishing.

Mark “Tank” Prescott (left) pushes NEPVA sports director Mike Guilbault up a ramp after a day of fishing.

One at a time, anglers and thei...e largest total weight of bass.

One at a time, anglers and their boat captains go out into the Charles River in hopes of returning with the largest total weight of bass.

Empty wheelchairs sit on the do...amp;rsquo; return from fishing.

Empty wheelchairs sit on the dock as they await the disabled anglers’ return from fishing.

A Nam Knight member holds down ...n angler off and onto the dock.

A Nam Knight member holds down a boat to keep its balance while others help an angler off and onto the dock.

Nam Knights volunteers gather a...ading anglers onto their boats.

Nam Knights volunteers gather after loading anglers onto their boats.

Nam Knights member and co-found...f the hurt,” he said.

Nam Knights member and co-founder of the NEPVA Bass Trail Ray “Hunter” Brunelle pulls an angler up a ramp. Brunelle said the tournaments have been helpful to him as a Vietnam veteran. “It took a lot of the hurt,” he said.

The last angler to return from ...he is assisted off of the boat.

The last angler to return from fishing, Oscar Toce, greets members of Nam Knights before he is assisted off of the boat.

Volunteers give a toast to late..., Stephanie Kealey, Ernie Wade.

Volunteers give a toast to late co-founder of the NEPVA bass trail, Eugene “Tiny” LaFontaine, Jr., who died in 2020. Front from left: Sherri Brosseau, Avis Wade, Sony Fernandes, Mark Fournier. Back from left: Lori Chase, Ray “Hunter” Brunelle, Stephanie Kealey, Ernie Wade.

Registered nurse and volunteer ... down the dock upon his return.

Registered nurse and volunteer Sony Fernandes (left) assists angler Tony Rinaldi as he walks down the dock upon his return.

An angler’s catch is ...e released back into the river.

An angler’s catch is drained of water to ensure only the fish’s weight is measured. After weighing the bass, anglers posed for photos before the fish were released back into the river.

Third place winners Nathan McEl...or a photo with their trophies.

Third place winners Nathan McEleney (left) and Jeff Kenney pose for a photo with their trophies.

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Thumbnail of Volunteers carry an angler out o_r after his return from fishing.

Thumbnail of Vincent “Porkchop&_, after his return from fishing.

Thumbnail of Professional angler Craig Casell_me, greets volunteer Dan Kenney.

Thumbnail of Oscar Toce, who served as an Arm_ and narrow,” he said.

Thumbnail of Mark “Tank”_ a ramp after a day of fishing.

Thumbnail of One at a time, anglers and their_he largest total weight of bass.

Thumbnail of Empty wheelchairs sit on the doc_’ return from fishing.

Thumbnail of A Nam Knight member holds down a_an angler off and onto the dock.

Thumbnail of Nam Knights volunteers gather af_oading anglers onto their boats.

Thumbnail of Nam Knights member and co-founde_of the hurt,” he said.

Thumbnail of The last angler to return from f_ he is assisted off of the boat.

Thumbnail of Volunteers give a toast to late _e, Stephanie Kealey, Ernie Wade.

Thumbnail of Registered nurse and volunteer S_s down the dock upon his return.

Thumbnail of An angler’s catch is d_re released back into the river.

Thumbnail of Third place winners Nathan McEle_for a photo with their trophies.

Public Story

Disabled and Paralyzed Veterans' Fishing Tournament (Boston Globe)

Copyright Kaito Au 2024

Updated Aug 2021

Topics Community, Disability, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism, Veterans

For those who attended the New England Paralyzed Veterans of America Bass Trail’s 22nd annual fishing tournament at the Newton Yacht Club June 5, the event meant much more than who got the biggest catch. Nurses, boat captains and members of the Nam Knights Motorcycle Club volunteered to help paralyzed and disabled anglers onto wheelchair accessible docks and boats for a day of fishing.

“To see an empty wheelchair on a dock,” said Sherri Brosseau, a licensed nursing assistant and volunteer at the event. “That in itself is everything.”

Click here for full story.

Kaito Au

Aug 10, 2021

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