Special hunt for 7-year-old Jamey Carrington

By Rachel McDanielnews@pikecountygeorgia.comFor 7-year-old Jamey Carrington, going hunting with his dad and granddad was the chance of a lifetime. Jamey Carrington is a student at Pike County Primary School who was born with a genetic disease called spinal muscular atrophy. It causes severe muscle weakness and affects the heart, lungs and all other organs.Buckmaster provided him with special hunting equipment that allowed him to aim and fire a gun without assistance.’His mom and I do everything we can to help Jamey have a normal life,’ said his dad Kenney Carrington. ‘Jamey’s mind isn’t affected and he’s very bright. A year ago I heard about a life hunt Buckmaster provides for special needs kids so I filled out the grant and forgot about it, thinking it would never happen.’In September, David Sullivan, the head of Life Hunts for Buckmaster, contacted the family and set up an Oct. 17 hunting trip to a 400-acre cattle farm owned by Mike Brownlow in Rome.’Jamey had some luck seeing some deer but didn’t get the opportunity to fire his gun. Jamey’s second trip was Nov. 8 to Amory, Miss. John and Rob Burns own 1,000 acres and were ready for Jamey to have a great hunting experience. Jamey shot his first deer that morning at an amazing 180 yards said his mom Rachael Carrington.’That doe sparked Jamey’s excitement and he wanted a buck. That same evening, Jamey, his dad and grandpa returned to the woods and Jamey once again had victory, a seven point buck that made Jamey’s trip and experience complete.’Jamey was diagnosed at the age 1 with SMA. According to curesma.org, the disease robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat or breathe. The website states it is the number one genetic cause of death for infants. It is a terminal illness.’Without families like the Brownlows and Burns and without David Sullivan and Buckmaster, Jamey and his dad wouldn’t have had the experience every father and son deserve,’ said Rachael Carrington. ‘What great experiences, huge blessings and priceless memories were gifted to us. We’re more grateful than we could ever express.’