A 1980 skiing accident left U.S. Army veteran Steve Kirk with a dislocated neck and little use of his arms or legs. Almost forty years later, Kirk was competing at last week’s National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Kirk took part in the air rifle competition thanks to a gun that is triggered by his breath.
A sharp inhale from Kirk is enough to fire his gun. (Inhaling is used instead of exhaling as the trigger, because exhaling can happen accidentally.) The solution, customized by the Orlando VA Medical Center, follows similar adaptations for disabled athletes competing in other sports—repurposing their movements for the desired effect.