Can’t stop, won’t stop

Photo By Benny Ontiveros | Sgt. 1st Class Katie Kuiper, Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, takes a moment to study the practice track before riding the approved tank trail at the 2015 U.S. Army Trials cycling practice event at Fort Bliss, Texas, on March 24, 2015. About 80 seriously wounded ill and injured service members (both active duty and veterans) from across the country will compete for spots on the Department of Defense Warrior Games 2015 Army Team. (U.S. Army photo by Benny Ontiveros, William Beaumont Army Medical Center)  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

03.25.2015

Story by Benny Ontiveros 

Army Recovery Care Program

FORT BLISS, Texas – The military and Department of Defense recognize and provide great care for injured, ill or wounded service members. One of the supporting factors in the rehabilitation process is preparing soldiers to return back to civilian life. One wounded warrior is utilizing adaptive sports to transition herself back to a normal lifestyle.

U.S Army Sgt. 1st Class Katie Kuiper, Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, suffered a head injury that proved to be challenging for her, but through the Army physical fitness and adaptive sports program, her goals are quickly being reached. Katie involved herself in the 2015 Army Trials being held March 30 through April 3 at Fort Bliss, Texas.

The Army Trials is conducted by the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command and hosted by Fort Bliss. Katie is one of about 80 wounded, ill and injured Soldiers and veterans from across the country participating in events including shooting, swimming, archery, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, track and field, and Katie’s favorite - cycling.

Katie is involved in two separate scheduled training events but participated in cycling practice on March 24 to “relax my head injury."

“Cycling is relaxing to me and I can forget about everything else,” she said.

Finding ways to recover from injuries can be difficult for wounded service members, but Katie focused her energy today on cycling, which will prepare her for her other training events such as track and field.

Katie quickly acclimated to cycling and safely stretched her muscles before taking a cycle ride on the approved tank trail.

The challenging part was learning new cycling techniques from the cycling coach.

“The cycling lessons are new and insightful,” she said.

Cycling Coach Jim Pensereyes from San Diego taught Katie and other wounded warriors to correctly ride their cycles through the turns on the practice trail.

“It’s an honor and absolutely amazing to see these brave individuals cycle through the course and even better to see when they take my advice,” said Pensereyes. “They just get better and better with each practice run.”

Katie and other wounded warriors adjusted to this new method with challenges, but by the end of the practice, they cycled with ease. Several cycling coaches were on hand to help them with proper cycling techniques.

“Being here is instrumental to my well-being and by interacting with other wounded warriors. It brings great joy to me and puts a huge smile to my face,” she said.

Katie can’t stop and won’t stop which is noticed by other athletes and coaches.

Wounded service members and Veterans participating in the Army Trials will receive the same type of therapeutic reconditioning. The benefit will be to help them and myself focus on life after injury.

• Date Taken: 03.25.2015
• Date Posted: 03.25.2015 21:25
• Story ID: 158110
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US