RIO, Wisc., (SPECTRUM NEWS) –– John Martinson has worked with his hands all his life.

He built his home on a family farm in Rio, Wisconsin, which is located about 35 miles north of Madison in Columbia County.

He also built the storage shed where he keeps his tools. It was there, on a hot summer day in 2002, where he suffered an injury that left him paralyzed from his ribs down.

“Eighteen years ago,” Martinson says. “This is where it all happened.”

Martinson will never forget it. He was doing interior work in the shed when the smell of paint fumes caused him to lose consciousness. He fell from a scaffold, permanently injuring his spine.

Martinson has been a wheelchair ever since.

“It’s amazing how much you get knocked down in life, and then you’re stronger than what you think you are,” he says.

Martinson’s injury did not stop him from doing the things he loves. He hunts, fishes and just returned from the nation’s largest biker rally in Sturgis, South Dakota.

Martinson has put nearly 50,000 miles on his Harley motorcycle in eight years. The chopper is equipped with a pulley system he uses to store his wheelchair on the motorcycle when he rides.

“Luckily, I’m strong (in my) upper body,” Martinson says. “I can wrestle my way up the bike.”

Martinson has also been participating in Wisconsin’s deer gun hunt for hunters with disabilities. This autumn will be no exception, despite the coronavirus pandemic.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources fears some hunters will stay home because of COVID-19.

“Thankfully, we have a lot of good sponsors that are still finding ways to work with it,” says Matthew Gross, an assistant big game ecologist with the Wisconsin DNR. “I think it’s looking good for those who are looking to still get out.”

Martinson says he will feel safe hunting this season because he’ll be outdoors, away from large crowds, and in his van. That’s where he sits in the driver seat, buckled up, and waits for his prey.

“The deer don’t really seem that afraid of a vehicle parked along the line fence,” Martinson says.h

His hope is others like him hear his story and find their own strength.

“Helping people is my happiness,” Martinson says. “I get a thrill out of seeing people get back out and doing what they loved and building up their confidence, actually get out there and do things.”

The deadline for Wisconsin hunters with disabilities to sign up for this year’s gun hunt is Sept. 1.