Warrior CARE week aids rehab of wounded

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD, UNITED STATES

11.18.2016

Story by Senior Airman Jordyn Fetter  

316th Wing

Wounded warriors from around the country took part in an Air Force Wounded Warrior Program CARE event at Joint Base Andrews, Md., from Nov. 13 to 18.

Warrior Caregiver Support, Adaptive and Rehabilitative Sports, Recovering Airman Mentorship, and Employment and Career Readiness events are held to provide services to attendees composed of wounded, ill or injured veterans and military members, along with their caregivers.

“This wounded warrior event was a great experience,” said 2nd Lt. Patrick Noyes, 11th Force Support Squadron section commander. “Some of the cool activities that took place were wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball. They even had a strength conditioning introductory session to determine, as athletes, what best suited individuals and what their limitations were to try to work around them.”


Each day of the event lasted from the early morning to late afternoon, leaving time for training and competitions in sitting volleyball, swimming, air pistol and rile shooting, cycling and archery.

To ensure the event ran smoothly, more than 220 JBA volunteers set up and cleaned up equipment each day, ensured wounded warriors had transportation to each activity and interacted with them during sports and strength training.

“Those who got to help out and interact with the wounded warriors had a great time,” said Noyes. “It was a pretty humbling and cool experience to talk with them and get to know their stories.”

For many wounded warriors, like Senior Airman KieLani Vessar, 55th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician, these activities connect them with their peers to foster an environment of understanding.

“People here understand when I say I can't get out of bed in the morning because they've been through it,” Vessar said. “It gives me a new perspective to have that peer-to-peer support. It is different than any kind of professional relationship you can have.”

Connections were strengthened further during the event’s playing of adaptive and rehabilitative sports, like yoga or wheelchair basketball, with a goal of providing a sense of normalcy to wounded warriors and promoting mental and physical wellness.

“These guys and girls have had a lot of hard stuff happen to them, but I think our society needs to understand they are just trying to be normal again,” said Sarah Cline, sitting volleyball coach. “They are just other individuals trying to live their life in the best way that they can and [these activities] aid in the healing process.”

The warriors also had occasional visitors during the event who stopped by to show their appreciation for their sacrifice like members of the Baltimore Ravens, who gave autographs and played a short game of wheelchair rugby.

“I love being out here with the wounded warriors and just hang out and have fun,” said Brandon Williams, Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle. “Not only did we put smiles on their faces, but they put smiles on ours and filled our hearts with happiness and respect for what they do.”

Over the span of the week, more than 120 wounded warriors were introduced to new recreational outlets to aid in their recovery, given tools to help enrich their lives and developed interpersonal relationships with their peers.

“There are a lot of opportunities here for [wounded warriors] to get out of their comfort zones and take on some new challenges,” said Richard Lombardi, assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force for the invisible wounds initiative. “They come together and help each other and build bonds, which is extremely powerful.”

• Date Taken: 11.18.2016
• Date Posted: 11.21.2016 08:36
• Story ID: 215343
• Location: JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD, US