There’s a particular kind of determination that doesn’t raise its voice but refuses to sit still. The type that rewrites the rules when the old ones no longer apply. That’s the force behind a quiet revolution in adaptive hunting, where Chad Waligura meets barriers with ingenuity. At the center of that movement, Waligura doesn’t tell his story to impress you; he insists it’s not really about him at all.
“There are a lot of people out there who have it tougher than I do,” he said. “I’m just one guy who didn’t want to give up hunting.” And he didn’t. Not when a diving accident left him paralyzed at 17. Not when he spent weeks (and sometimes months) developing adaptive hunting gear. Not when the outdoor industry overlooked sportsmen with disabilities.
Instead, Waligura found workarounds and brought others along with him. With his dry wit, calm conviction and deeply rooted respect for the outdoors, Waligura instills his immeasurable capacity to overcome situations that appear impossible. The spinal cord injury could have ended his time outdoors years ago. Instead, it shaped a calling that would take him across continents, into magazine bylines and the lives of thousands of other people with disabilities searching for purpose, adventure and a way forward.
Today, Waligura is a respected writer, magazine editor, video producer and adaptive hunting pioneer. He is also the founder of Able Outdoors, a nonprofit online magazine and media company that celebrates and supports physically challenged athletes in the wild. His journey from injury to influence is one of grit, humor and a deep-seated drive to make the world more accessible.
After his accident and extensive time in rehab, Waligura earned a bachelor’s degree in Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management from Texas A&M University. Later, he added a master’s in education. “I grew up hunting and fishing,” Waligura said. “That was an important part of my life.”
Raised in El Campo, Texas, Waligura’s father and grandfather introduced him to nature at a young age. “I knew I wanted to stay close to nature,” Waligura said. “I just didn’t know exactly what that would mean from a wheelchair.”
He began experimenting with accessible hunting equipment and seeking out landowners who would allow adaptive hunting setups. “There wasn’t a whole lot out there for people in wheelchairs,” he said. “So, I started making calls, trying stuff, figuring out how to get back outdoors.” He created a website called Follow Me Outdoors, one of the first online platforms devoted to hunting and fishing for people with disabilities. “It was just a place to share what I was learning,” Waligura said. “If I found something that worked, I’d put it up there for others.” His vitality and curiosity have grown the website into a dynamic community of people with disabilities who love the outdoors as much as he does.
Waligura’s writing caught the attention of editors at Buckmasters’ Rack magazine, where he became a frequent contributor. His work also appeared in Turkey & Turkey Hunting, Eastman’s Hunting Journal, King’s Hunting Illustrated and Sports ‘N Spokes, among others. He was named Challenged Hunter of the Year by Buckmasters, and Safari Club International honored him with its Pathfinder Award.
Despite the accolades, Waligura kept his focus practical. “I didn’t want to be some inspirational story people forgot about after they read it,” he said. “I wanted to be the guy you could email and ask, ‘Hey, how do I rig this rifle mount?’ or ‘Where can I find a guide who understands chairs?’” A few years later, Waligura took his mission a step further by launching an online resource for the physically challenged interested in outdoor pursuits. He named it Able Outdoors (https://ableoutdoors.net/), a title that reflects his belief that disability is not the end of ability, it’s just the beginning of adaptation.
“Able Outdoors is about showcasing what’s possible,” Waligura said. “It’s not about overcoming. It’s about doing — with the right tools, the right attitude and the right support.”
The site features everything from gear reviews and hunting trip recaps to interviews with adaptive athletes and guides. In 2021, Waligura partnered with Ashlee Lundvall, a fellow outdoor advocate and wheelchair user from Wyoming, to produce video content and expand their reach. “We want people to see us out there. Not in a ‘look at us’ way, but more like, ‘If we can do it, you can too.’” Episodes of Able Outdoors are available on CarbonTV, an online streaming platform for the outdoor enthusiast. (https://www.carbontv.com/shows/able-outdoors/)
Waligura is especially passionate about organizing group hunts for people with disabilities. “There’s something powerful about shared experience,” he said. “When you get a group of guys and girls out there who’ve all had something happen to them but who are still chasing ducks or sitting in a deer blind, it changes how you see yourself. You’re not just surviving. You’re living!”
Waligura has led hunts across Texas and the U.S. and has traveled internationally to hunt in Canada, Argentina, Mexico and South Africa. His personal hunting stories are compelling, but his greatest joy comes from helping others experience the outdoors for themselves.
Beyond outdoor adventures, Waligura gives back through mentorship. As a founding member of the TIRR Peers Organization at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, he visits newly injured patients, offering encouragement and straight talk. “I don’t sugarcoat anything,” he said. “This life isn’t easy. But it’s not impossible. And the sooner you start figuring out how to live it, the better off you’ll be. In addition to my helpful rehab experience, I wish I had had me visit me back in 1986 after my accident.”
That mix of honesty and hope is Waligura’s hallmark. “People don’t want pity,” he said. “They want real advice. They want to know how to load a gun, how to go to the bathroom in a duck blind, how to get back to doing what they love. That’s what I try to give them. If someone’s willing to reach out to me, I’m going to help them however I can.”
Waligura’s impact on individuals with disabilities is enduring because of his authenticity. He’s not trying to brand himself or chase headlines. This devoted, earnest outdoor enthusiast is simply doing what he loves and making a way for others to do the same. His voice — grounded, clear and passionate — resonates with anyone who’s faced a challenge and wondered, “Can I still do this?” His answer is always, “Yes.” Maybe not in the same way as before. Maybe not as easily. But, “Yes!”
“You don’t have to do it all at once,” he said. “Start small. Get out in your backyard. Try fishing from the dock. Figure out what your limits really are and then start pushing on them. You’ll be surprised how far you can go.”
(Left: Chad Waligura participating in a Hunt Fish Podcast Summit with top national outdoor media personalities. Center: Chad Waligura, who volunteers with the TIRR Peers organization at Memorial Hermann in Houston, demonstrating a trigger pull device for William Whitten, an outpatient; Right: Chad Waligura testing an adapted fly rod with Capt. Stephen Stubbe of Mudfish Adventures on Toledo Bend Lake.)
Waligura continues to travel, hunt, write and film. He’s constantly on the lookout for new gear, new hunting companions and new ways to help people get back into nature. But as his platform grows, his mission remains the same. “The outdoors saved me. And now I want to make sure others have the same experience.” That is the clear-eyed philosophy — equal parts moxie, heart and Texas practicality — that makes Waligura a trailblazer and an intuitive guide through possibilities. In a world that too often defines people by what they’ve lost, Waligura demonstrates what it means to move forward.
Chad may be reached at michaeldanielcesarino@gmail.com.
Chad Waligura is a respected outdoor writer, magazine editor, video producer and adaptive hunting and fishing visionary. He is the founder of Able Outdoors (https://ableoutdoors.net), a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for outdoor adventure for people with disabilities.