The ability to ride a bike or swing a golf club are simple pleasures that most of us take for granted. But for severely injured veterans, athletic activities can often provide the opportunity to heal and prove to themselves, that they can still do things they possibly imagined impossible.
Adaptive sports programmes are such an important part of what organisations like Wounded Warrior Project does to empower injured service members. Roberto Cruz is one of the many wounded veterans who discovered, that through such programmes he could move beyond his physical limitations. It inspired him to join the WWP TRACK programme and begin his college education.
For others like Roberto, WWP adaptive sports programmes help wounded service members gain confidence and the independence that they need on their journey to recovery. Whether the experience is whisking down a snow-covered mountain on skis, fly-fishing alongside fellow veteran’s, or cycling in a WWP Soldier Ride, such activities allow these men and women to let go of their inhibitions and feel empowered again.
Related to this, are some resources which I’d like to draw attention too, with the hope of motivating people in taking a more pro-active role in supporting the work taking place, to assist veteran’s into sports. Included are the articles Injured soldier has eyes set on Paralympics, Paralympic joy for Legion beneficiary, Paralympians Provide Example, Inspiration to Disabled Vets and Disabled Vets Experience 'Miracles on Mountainside'.
By Hussein Al-alak, chairman of the Iraq Solidarity Campaign. You can read more articles by Hussein on his blog Totally Hussein Al-alak
By Hussein Al-alak, chairman of the Iraq Solidarity Campaign. You can read more articles by Hussein on his blog Totally Hussein Al-alak
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