Helton: Mind over body

Photo By Samantha Koss | Sgt. Christopher Helton, Company A, Warrior Transition Battalion, races in the 100-meter dash May 17 during the Warrior Games at Garry Berry Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. Helton hurt his hip during his first event, the shot put, but he persevered, finishing the race through the pain and continuing on to his last event, the discus throw.  

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES

05.17.2011

Story by Spc. Samantha Koss 

Fort Carson Public Affairs Office

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Sgt. Christopher Helton, Company A, Warrior Transition Battalion, competed in the Warrior Games track and field events May 17 held at Garry Berry Stadium.

This was Helton’s second year participating in the Warrior Games; both years competing in three track and field events.

“I have a lot of fun competing on the Army team,” Helton said. “It’s always exciting to compete against the other services.”

Helton joined the Army in 2001 from his hometown of Bolivar, Mo. He served two tours in Iraq. In 2008, Helton went through two spinal fusion surgeries to relieve back pain. Post operation, he developed a blood clotting disorder resulting in a pulmonary embolism and lower extremity clots.

“It’s been painful competing, especially this year,” he said after hurting his hip during his first event, the shot put.

Last year, Helton received a gold medal in the discus throw event and a bronze medal in the shot put.

“I didn’t know if I was going to be able to compete in the 100-meter dash this year because my hip hurt so much, but I didn’t want to give up,” he said.

Helton pushed on to race in the 100-meter dash and in the discus throw, demonstrating his perseverance and determination to overcome medical obstacles.

“I’m just happy to be able to compete and finish … I love track and field,” he said.

Helton currently attends classes at Pikes Peak Community College and plans to transfer to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in the fall, majoring in mathematics.

“I am thankful for all the support I had out there, there were a lot of people cheering me on,” he said.

• Date Taken: 05.17.2011
• Date Posted: 05.27.2011 12:38
• Story ID: 71202
• Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US