Photo By Sgt. Dakota Price | Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Melissa Klotz hurls the discus at Shea Field at the...... read more read more
WEST POINT, N.Y. - Dark clouds overhead contrast with clear skies over the Hudson River. At the edge of a field, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Melissa Klotz, of Kearny, N.J., slowly works through the steps of her shot put technique in anticipation of her competition in the 2016 DoD Warrior Games at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. A coach comes forward and lifts an elbow, adjusts a foot, turn faster, and then backs away. Klotz closes her eyes, a few strands of sandy hair blow across her face, and focuses. Her eyes snap open, she swings three hundred sixty degrees, and grunts slightly as she pushes the shot put off of her cheek into the air. Klotz and the coach high-five as her teammates cheer behind her; everyone is pleased with the distance. Now it is someone else's turn to practice and Klotz walks back to the bleachers. As she turns, a long scar can be seen tracing down her hip to her thigh.
“I was off the coast of India aboard the USS Harpers Ferry and it maneuvered during an exercise while I was climbing,” said Klotz. The abrupt movement caused her to fall and sustain an injury to her hip, hit her head, and hurt her back. “I'm hardcore, but the next day the pain was so bad I had to see someone about it.”
Her injuries went untreated for another year and a half. During that time, Klotz went through a very low point in her life. Before her injury, Klotz was always blowing off steam with cross-country running, powerlifting, rowing, and boxing. After her injury she could do next to nothing, and even had constant trouble sleeping.
“It hurt so bad I had to limp and walk pigeon-toed to keep my leg from hurting,” said Klotz. “I was embarrassed to go out because all the things I used to do, I couldn't do anymore. I felt so isolated.”
Eventually, the Navy transferred Klotz to limited duty at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. While there she discovered the Navy Wounded Warrior-Safe Harbor program. Safe Harbor provides support like athletic and employment opportunities for more than 2,250 wounded warriors, as well as their families.
At the medical center Klotz underwent adaptive therapy. Muscle balancing, muscle training, dry needling, Russian stimulation, and pain management were all part of the regiment. In addition to the adaptive therapy she also tried out for the Warrior Games. Once she placed in the trials she earned a spot on the Navy team and began training new events, like shot put and discus. “If those programs didn't exist, I couldn’t be where I am today,” said Klotz. “The Warrior Games have been a lifesaver.”
“The new events were a challenge because I don't have a shot put or discus at home,” said Klotz. “I had never done that stuff before. But I love a challenge. It gives a focus, a goal, to strive for.”
Field events were only one new thing for Klotz. The camaraderie of her new teammates has done as much good as the medical center's therapy. Now others who can relate to her struggle and recovery surround her for her training, encouragement, and competition.
This week the 2016 DoD Warrior Games begin, and the approach of the competitions energizes Klotz like all of her previous hobbies and activities used to. Her attitude is such that injury, pain, or physical obstacles cannot keep her down for long. Her shot put practice is done, but she still has cycling and swimming practice at other locations on the West Point campus.
“My goal for the Warrior Games is to do my best,” said Klotz with a smile. But the grin disappears and gives way to determination. “But I'm going to get a medal.”
Thirty-seven seriously wounded, ill and injured Sailors are competing on behalf of Team Navy this year. The Warrior Games are being held June 19-28. Approximately 250 wounded warrior athletes are participating in the competition.
NWW is the Navy and Coast Guard's wounded warrior support program. Team members have upper-body and/or lower-body injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairments, serious illnesses and post-traumatic stress.
To learn more about NWW, the DoD Warrior Games and adaptive sports, visit http://safeharbor.navylive.dodlive.mil; call 855-NAVY WWP (628-9997) or email navywoundedwarrior@navy.mil.
Follow NWW on Facebook (www.facebook.com/navysafeharbor) and Twitter (@navysafeharbor) for the latest news from Marine Corps Base Quantico.
For more news from Commander, Navy Installations Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cni/.
| Date Taken: | 06.14.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.14.2016 13:36 |
| Story ID: | 201087 |
| Location: | STALEY, NC, US |
| Hometown: | KEARNY, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 61 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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