One Fishing Trip Changed Everything

Bringing Hope On & Off the Water

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The Son I Couldn’t Wait to Meet

When Alison and I learned we were expecting our third son, I imagined all the things fathers dream about doing with their boys—wrestling, playing ball, and spending days together on the water.

Joshua arrived 11 weeks premature and spent his first 30 days in the neonatal intensive care unit. At 10 months old, he was diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, Cortical Vision Impairment, Epilepsy, and a Gut Motility Disorder.

Doctors told us he would never walk, would likely never talk, and would depend on a feeding tube for nutrition. In a moment, excitement gave way to worry, uncertainty, and fear.

From a Doctor’s Prognosis to God’s Purpose

The years that followed brought challenges our family never expected. Yet through every uncertain season, we held onto God’s promise that Joshua’s life had meaning and that his story would reveal His glory.

We did not yet understand how that promise would unfold.

The Phone Call That Changed Everything

When Joshua was five, local fisherman RJ Boyle called with an invitation that would change our family forever.

He had traveled the world fishing, but after a life-changing encounter, he felt called to use what he had been given to create opportunities for people who might otherwise be left on the shore.

For the First Time, No One Stayed Behind

My older sons and I fished whenever we had the opportunity, but Joshua usually had to stay home.

That first trip changed everything.

Joshua loved it. On the water, he experienced a peace and freedom unlike anything we had seen before. For the first time, our entire family could share something we loved together.

No one had to stay behind.

One Family’s Experience Became a Mission

What began with one invitation became Mission Fishin’.

For more than 13 years, our volunteer-led organization has provided no-cost fishing experiences, practical resources, and meaningful support to over 1,000 families.

Every trip is about more than fishing—it’s about belonging, joy, connection, and hope.

A Personal Note

Joshua’s life continues to remind us that a diagnosis does not define a person’s purpose.

Mission Fishin’ exists because someone invited our family onto the water. Today, we have the privilege of extending that same invitation to others.

— Tony Davis Founder, Mission Fishin’