Freddy vs. the Zombie Apocalypse
The Disabled Prepper: Reflections from the Frontline (of Undeath & Community)
Last Saturday, I wasn’t battling the undead or scoring personal bests, I was doing something even more valuable: supporting Men’s Mental Health Week alongside my fellow archer Jonathan and the fantastic folks at Conwy Mind. We ran a community archery event at Colwyn Bowmen that reminded me that sometimes, survival isn’t about go bags or prep kits. It’s about being seen, heard, and connected.
But in the spirit of The Disabled Prepper, allow me to introduce what may become a recurring concern for this series: Colin.
Colin was probably a plumber. Possibly a pub quiz champion. Definitely undead.
You see, Colin is the unfortunate mascot of our hypothetical apocalypse. He lurches, he groans, and he wears a tattered hi-vis vest that still says “Safety First” — oh, the irony. Colin will be our ever-present reminder that when the world goes sideways, it’s not just the fast zombies you have to worry about… it’s the persistent ones with a dodgy gait and a fondness for “Braiiiiins”!
Let me introduce my apocalypse alter ego to you: Freddy the Arrowstorm.
Based on my now-expanding dossier, Freddy is armed with:
- A green compound bow accurate enough to split mid-air midges
- A Tactical Chair™ that handles field grass better than most cross-country bikes
- A grin that says “I’ve got arrows, and I know how to use them”
Survival Strategy: Talk, Shoot, Listen
Archery has always been more than sport to me, it’s mental clarity. This event made it clearer than ever: pulling back a bowstring and letting go isn’t just good for target practice, it’s therapy. You could see it on the faces of every person who came along to try something new, share space with others, and walk away lighter.
If a zombie apocalypse ever hits, I want Jonathan on my team. The man can coach, encourage, reset a target boss, and offer a supportive word in a single breath. Together, we built more than a range, we built a place of calm mindful activity.
Wheelchair Mod Wishlist (Community Edition):
- Cup holder for community teas
- Built-in mental health awareness flag
- Rotating armrest whiteboard for motivational quotes and doodles
Apocalypse Lessons Learned:
- Connection is survival.
- Encouragement is armour.
- Laughter can disarm even the most stubborn fears (or Colin, bless him).
Help Me Keep Rolling
Whether I’m supporting community mental health or outrunning Colin and his undead mates, one thing stays the same: I need a chair that works as hard as I do.
That’s why I’m raising funds for a competition-grade wheelchair. One that won’t just carry me across fields, but through every opportunity to empower others.
If you’d like to support someone who believes archery can save lives (and maybe heads, in the apocalypse), please consider sharing or supporting my GoFundMe:
No pressure. But if community counts in a crisis, then we’re already halfway to surviving anything.
Freddy