East Texas Man Fishes Again After Accident With Specially Designed Boat

Custom boat with hydraulic lift allows wheelchair-bound fisherman to return to the water.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 1:08am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in warm, hazy tones depicting the silhouette of a person in a wheelchair on the deck of a boat, with the blurred outline of a fishing rod and the distant horizon visible through the bokeh, conceptually illustrating the story of an adaptive solution enabling a disabled man to enjoy his favorite hobby.A custom-built boat equipped with a hydraulic lift allows an East Texas man to return to his lifelong passion of fishing from his wheelchair.Tyler Today

Joey Stroman, an East Texas man who lost the ability to walk after an accident in 2017, is now able to fish on the open water again thanks to a specially designed boat. The boat, built in collaboration between Access2Mobility and Heavy Metal Custom Boats, features a hydraulic lift that allows Stroman to drive his wheelchair directly into the front of the vessel. With added safety features like taller sides and extra flotation, the custom boat has given Stroman the freedom to pursue his lifelong passion of fishing.

Why it matters

The story highlights the power of adaptive technology and custom engineering to help people with disabilities regain access to the activities and hobbies they love. Stroman's ability to return to fishing, a pursuit he thought he had lost, demonstrates the life-changing impact of innovative solutions that promote inclusion and independence.

The details

The planning process for Stroman's custom boat took months, but the final product includes several key features to accommodate his needs. A hydraulic-powered front door allows him to drive his wheelchair directly onto the boat, while taller sides and extra flotation devices ensure stability and safety. The boat was also engineered with a weight ratio to support both Stroman and his wheelchair.

  • In 2017, Joey Stroman was involved in an accident that took away his ability to walk.
  • Stroman approached Access2Mobility in 2022 seeking help to return to fishing.
  • Heavy Metal Custom Boats collaborated with Access2Mobility over several months to design and build the specialized boat.
  • The completed boat was delivered to Stroman in early 2026, allowing him to fish on the open water again.

The players

Joey Stroman

An East Texas man who lost the ability to walk after an accident in 2017, but has now regained the freedom to pursue his lifelong passion of fishing thanks to a custom-built boat.

Access2Mobility

A company that helps individuals with disabilities gain access to mobility solutions, and collaborated with Heavy Metal Custom Boats to design Stroman's specialized fishing boat.

Heavy Metal Custom Boats

The boat manufacturer that worked with Access2Mobility to engineer and build the custom vessel that allows Stroman to fish from his wheelchair.

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What they’re saying

“We kind of laid out our plan, laid out what we were needing to have for Joey and his special needs.”

— Noah Kiefer, Vice President at Access 2 Mobility

“We have a drop door on the front, that works with hydraulic actuators, that will lift the door up and down so that he drives his wheelchair straight into the front of the boat.”

— Randy Stamps, Heavy Metal Custom Boats

“The boat was built with a weight ratio so that it could support the weight of him and his wheelchair into the front of the boat and still sit flat.”

— Randy Stamps, Heavy Metal Custom Boats

“If there's a will, there's a way. You just gotta keep pushing forward, and I feel like I've achieved that, it's just... I love it.”

— Joey Stroman

What’s next

Stroman plans to take his new custom boat out on the water for the first time this weekend to enjoy a full day of fishing on his local lake.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates the life-changing impact that adaptive technology and custom engineering can have for individuals with disabilities, allowing them to regain access to the hobbies and activities they are passionate about. Stroman's perseverance and the collaborative efforts of Access2Mobility and Heavy Metal Custom Boats have given him the freedom to pursue his lifelong love of fishing, showing that with the right solutions, there are often ways to overcome even the most daunting physical challenges.