The Wills Boys
Here is a term to say three times as quickly as possible, “Bilateral Syndactly, Polydactly with 14 fingers”. To most of us, that means nothing. If you were an Orthopaedic Doctor, you would know exactly what it means. And to Lee Wills, it applies to him and his life. Lee was born with the condition stated. Basically, Lee was born with 14 fingers, webbed by the skin in between. Through his ten years of life, Lee has accepted surgery every year to correct his hands and split the skin between fingers, creating what we could consider normal looking hands.
There is nothing grotesque about Lee’s condition. But due to the constant attention and healing, it is a self conscious matter for Lee. It is somewhat a disability, but in seeing Lee in action, things like this are only limiting to others who do not understand. Lee is an example of the credo, “Improvise, Adapt, & Overcome.”
About a year ago, I was approached at a local match by Lee’s Mother and his older Brother, Jesse. The boys are complete opposites of one another. Jesse is reserved and observant. Lee is wired like a mosquito and wanting to try everything NOW! Both boys are very respectful of others and eager to improve their abilities. Jesse had started shooting and was having difficulty with the Colt Gold Cup he was using. Several people had looked and worked on it, and finally someone suggested they speak with me. The issue was simple to correct and soon Jesse was on his way. Jesse was 14 at the time and had fallen in love with the shooting sports. USPSA and Steel shooting were eating his spare time and allowance. His parents were in full support and fortunate to be able to setup a range for practice on their property in Northern Virginia. As Jesse was progressing, Lee started to show more interest and ability. Lee was only hindered by trying to find a gun that would work for him.
The sounds of steel range quite often as both boys practiced with their Father coaching. Local shooters and talent also stopped to lend support to the boys and help with coaching. Tori Nonaka is a neighbor and top Junior shooter. Tommy Thacker, Ron and Megan Francisco, Phil Strader, and others have been willing to spend time with the boys. Jesse continued to work with his Gold Cup for as long as possible, and finally had to move on to another gun when it became clear the gun was a disadvantage and not worth any money being spent to customize to his needs. In February 2010, Jesse was fortunate to get a used Infinity 2011, in .40S&W. After a thorough inspection, he has been able to start practicing and expects to reach B Class within USPSA by end of summer.
Lee started shooting in earnest during 2010. In 2009 he was able to be classified as a D class shooter in order to attend the Juniors Camp held by the Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, Georgia. During the camp, Lee and Jesse were able to work with Rob Leatham, KC Esubio, Travis Tomasie, and many others who are in the upper 2% of the shooting sports. Sponsors such as Remington provided all of the ammunition for the event.
The AMU camp fanned the flames for Lee, and pointed out some obvious issues, his hands. Most of the guns available are set to be used by “Joe Average”. Lee is 10, with hands that are sized larger, with limited motion. The fit and feel of a Glock, a Smith & Wesson M&P, or FNP, did not work for him. The Springfield XDm did and does fit him, but the reach for the trigger is difficult. For the AMU class, Lee made the XDm work. But coming away, his parents asked what could be done to help him. The answer was to build a custom 1911 for Lee.
Jokes may abound concerning the 1911 and keeping gunsmiths in business for over 100 years, but some things seem to be perfection even if they are 100 years in design. In this case, the 1911 frame allowed itself to be manipulated to better fit Lee’s hands. The trigger was shortened to a point where he can reach it correctly. It was agreed to build in 9mm to minimize recoil, expense of ammo, and provide 100% reliability. After working with Lee and getting his input as to what felt good, what worked and what he wanted, a custom 1911 built on a Caspian Tactical frame and slide was created. The pistol uses a non-ramped Storm Lake Machine barrel, is stippled on the front and back straps, with an arched mainspring housing blended into the frame. Ambidextrous Swenson design thumb safeties with the thumb shields help prevent Lee’s thumb from dragging the slide. The trigger is a custom flat trigger, nearly 1/8” shorter than a standard short trigger. When the hammer falls, Lee’s trigger finger is just short of touching the frame. Trigger weight is set at a clean 4lbs. Sights are a Bomar Target copy made by Caspian, with a Dawson fiber optic front. Finish has been provided by Blue Ridge Bluing, and has a deep black/blue finish. The slide has been further accented with front cocking serrations and 40lpi checkering on the rear.
From the first rounds, through the proofing phase, and now complete, this gun is and is about Lee. At the South Carolina State USPSA match in March 2010, Lee shot more A hits than any of the other 100+ competitors. At the Area 6 USPSA Championships in April 2010, again Lee made it a point to shoot for points. Lee just completed the Virginia/Maryland Section Championship(May 2010), shooting in the rain. His ability to shoot accurately has dramatically improved and so has his confidence and determination. As his hands change, strength develops, and is ability to control improves, the gun will adapt with his abilities.
Both boys are doing extremely well and starting out as junior shooters in a mature game. United States Practical Shooting Association is the affiliation of the International Practical Shooting Confederation(IPSC) in North America. IPSC is sponsored and held in over 100 countries and has a draw of all ages, ability, and diversity. USPSA further breaks down in the US to sponsor IPSC type events, Steel Shooting, and 3 gun or multi gun events. An initiative taken by USPSA in 2008/2009 created Scholastic Steel, a program aimed at starting junior shooters based on the successful format of the Steel Challenge matches. Karla Wills, the boys’ Mother volunteered to setup and work the matches in Northern Virginia, but to date has been unable to find a range able to host the matches. Until then, the boys will continue to shoot regular USPSA matches, steel matches in other locations, and are showing interest in the multi-gun events.
In as much this story is about boys being junior shooters and each working within their born abilities, there is more based on Lee. Human nature allows us to look past imperfections and disabilities when we do not know anything different. Lee has never known what most take for granted. Lee’s father works for the US Army in Washington DC, and because of that is able to have all of his medical needs performed at Walter Reed Medical Center. Lee is at Walter Reed quite often to evaluate progress and plan the next steps. As stated, his hand are not immediately noticeable. They are more flat, with flat digits. Fingers that have been fused are size that of a man, not a 10 year old boy. They do not flex as well, but Lee manages just fine. Lee is part of the support for the Wounded Warriors program. His parents speak of each time he is at WRMC that he has to make time to see the soldiers. Lee points out his issue to show others you need to accept and work with what you have in hand, so to speak. This is not an obstacle, it is a challenge. For Lee and his determination, and for that of Jesse his brother, it is a matter of how to improve given their personal sets of circumstances.
When all around us seems to be focused on what is wrong, went wrong, or could happen, these boys and their family are focused on what to do right. Shooting, respect for others, or helping others through their perception of disadvantage; this is where more people need to be in life at any age.