It takes one to know one

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. 1st Class Sam Goldenstein trains with resistance bands during speed training drills as part of the training week for the 2015 Army Trials at Fort Bliss Texas. Goldenstein, a Kansas City, Missouri native, was previously assigned to the Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri Warrior Transition Unit. She now resides in St. Robert, Missouri. Approximately 80 wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and Veterans are at Fort Bliss to train and compete in a series of competitive athletic events including archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, and wheelchair basketball. Competition week, conducted by the Warrior Transition Command and hosted by Fort Bliss, is scheduled March 29-April. Army Trials help determine who will get a spot on the Department of Defense Warrior Games 2015 Army Team in June at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia. (U.S. Army Photo by David Brant, Army Warrior Transition Command)  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

03.25.2015

Courtesy Story

Army Recovery Care Program

By David Brant, Warrior Transition Command

FORT BLISS, Texas - “Been there done that; try walking in my shoes; or, it takes one to know one” are phrases often used when one tries to portray or convey a particular feeling onto someone else. This is especially true with the Soldier and Veteran athletes participating in this year’s Army Trials at Fort Bliss, Texas. Unless one has personally gone through a traumatic wound, illness, or injury, it is quite difficult to fully comprehend the daily hardships these Soldiers face.

Amongst these athletes, however, it only takes a quick look, and all is understood. There is a bond between the wounded, ill, and injured; a bond more commonly found in Soldiers fighting side-by-side. Sgt. 1st Class Sam Goldenstein is a member of the club. She’s been there and done that; in more ways than one.

Sam is an Army Reservist currently assigned to the 325th Combat Support Hospital as a Radiology Non-Commissioned Officer. When she is not drilling with her unit, Sam serves as the Fort Leonard Wood Warrior Transition Unit’s (WTU) Adaptive Sports Site Coordinator.

“I love my job”, explains Sam. She sees firsthand how Adaptive Reconditioning and Adaptive Sports help Soldiers in their recovery. In fact, the WTU’s adaptive sports program has had such an effect on Sam it helped her choose her career path. Sam was previously a Soldier assigned to the WTU in Leonard Wood, having spent a year there as Soldier recovering from Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI), or hip impingement syndrome. FAI occurs when the ball shaped femoral head rubs abnormally or does not permit a normal range of motion in the hip socket. A double hip replacement is in her future. For now, her focus is on the Army Trials and conquering the goals she has set for her recovery.

“I’ve always been involved in sports. In high school I participated in track and tennis. Now, I am more involved I cycling. I was on last year’s Army team and competed in the Warrior Games. It wasn’t until after those games that I really started to work towards becoming a better cyclist.”

In a way, working side- by-side at Leonard Wood with athletes as an exercise physiologist and being a believer in healthy nutrition has fueled her competitive edge. “Prior to my employment at the WTU, I was not familiar with the Army’s Adaptive Reconditioning Program. It has not only allowed her to help Soldiers in their recovery, but has made her much more competitive.

As one of the few who has previously been on the Army’s team, Goldenstein is looking forward to competition week. “I am hoping to make the team this year and improving my performance. I also want to help the Soldiers out as much as I can. This is also part of our rehab as well.”

Sam Goldenstein -- she has been her and done that, and looks forward to doing so much more.

• Date Taken: 03.25.2015
• Date Posted: 03.25.2015 22:33
• Story ID: 158114
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US