Army Releases Public Service Announcement on Adaptive Sports for Wounded Warriors

The Army Warrior Transition Command (WTC) released a 60-second public service announcement (PSA) on adaptive sports.  This PSA showcases the resilient spirit, competitive nature and physical abilities of wounded warriors through adaptive sports.

“The wounded soldiers I’ve met are not discouraged by their injuries,” said Brig. Gen. Darryl Williams, Commander of the Warrior Transition Command.  “Instead, they’re looking for ways to get back into life and challenge themselves to fulfill their potential.  Physical fitness plays an important role throughout the Army, and WTC encourages all wounded warriors to incorporate adaptive sports into their recovery plans.”

Last year, nearly 100 wounded soldiers competed against wounded servicemembers from all branches of the Armed Forces at the Warrior Games at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Training programs began this fall for the 2011 Warrior Games, scheduled for May 16-21.  All wounded warriors have the opportunity to participate in adaptive sports programs coordinated by the U.S. Paralympic Military Program at military installations, and after qualifying as elite-level athletes, wounded warriors can train for the U.S. Paralympic team through the Army World Class Athlete Program.

Adaptive sports play a key role in the recovery of the Army’s wounded, ill and injured soldiers.  “Sports provide wounded warriors with great exercise and lets them see the things they can do instead of what they can’t do,” said Army veteran Joe Bowser, a member of the U.S. Stand-Up National Amputee Hockey Team.

The Army developed a holistic approach to caring for wounded warriors that extends beyond medical care.  The Army built 29 Warrior Transition Units (WTUs) throughout the United States and Europe for soldiers who require at least six months of complex medical management.  At WTUs, soldiers have one mission – to heal and transition.  Each soldier in a WTU develops a personalized transition plan that includes specific goals on six areas of life, including physical fitness.  The Army strives to equip all wounded soldiers with the tools they need for the next stage of their lives, whether they return to the force or transition to civilian life.

WTC is a major subordinate command under the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM).  WTC’s mission is to develop, coordinate and integrate the Army’s Warrior Care and Transition Program (WCTP) for wounded, ill and injured soldiers, veterans and their families.

For more information on WTC, visit the new WTC website, www.WTC.army.mil or follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/armyWTC.  Since 2004, the Army has also maintained the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2), which provides personalized, local support to severely wounded warriors.  Join AW2 on Facebook at http://facebook.com/armyAW2.

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