In the quiet woods of Michigan, a single misstep changed Bill Pahl’s life forever. On November 11, 2022, while hunting from a tree stand, Bill fell nearly 20 feet to the ground. The fall resulted in a spinal cord injury (SCI) that left him unable to walk. Bill’s road to recovery has been marked by determination, faith and the unwavering support of his wife and rehabilitation team at Mary Free Bed.
“Bill always came prepared with a new challenge he wanted to tackle for PT. It started with me pushing him, and then therapy turned into him inspiring me with his motivation and wisdom with his teaching background,” said Mary Free Bed physical therapist Kristen Nicholoff. “Although his path to walking was not easy, he would give it 120% each session and often need a push to rest since he was always pushing harder. “
“I asked God, ‘Lord, just help me not look at the big picture of walking, but just show me progress, from week to week.’ And he’s never stopped,” Bill reflected.
Bill has made remarkable progress in the last three years, from being unable to stand to walking a full mile with a gait belt. Bill’s story goes far beyond his own healing journey—he’s now advocating for hunting safety.
Michigan’s Hunting Season Begins: A Survivor’s Plea for Tree Stand Safety
Bill believes there are critical things hunters often overlook until it’s too late. These include reduced circulation in the legs from sitting too long in a blind, the surge of adrenaline that follows a successful shot, the unpredictability of branches used for footing and the slippery danger of wet leaves clinging to the soles of your boots—especially when climbing a ladder.
“If a hunter ever saw all the work that you put your wife through (after an injury), you would change your mind on how you descend out of your ladder,” Bill urged during an emotional interview with WZZM. “You would get some kind of a safety device or a rock-climbing device that would lower you one rung at a time. If only one hunter would listen to this message and understand and would go out and buy a device that would lower them slowly down, then it’s all worth it.”
He now dreams of simple joys like walking to the car and grabbing coffee with a friend.
How Mary Free Bed Helps Patients Reclaim Independence
At Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation, we’re proud to support patients like Bill—people who not only overcome adversity but turn it into advocacy. His journey is a powerful reminder of how rehabilitation can restore independence and purpose and how one voice can help protect countless others.
