Photo By Robert Whetstone | U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jo Ann Tsuhako competes in the rowing event at the...... read more read more
FORT LIBERTY, NC, March 7, 2024 -- Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jo Ann Tsuhako is a twenty-eight-year Army Reserve Soldier driven by fierce determination to prove anyone who doubts her ability wrong. She continues to grow stronger after a cancer diagnosis and is competing here in the Army Trials, March 1 – 8 and looking forward for the chance to represent Team Army at the 2024 DOD Warrior Games in Orlando Florida.
“I love challenges. Tell me I can’t do something, I am going to try and do it,” said Tsuhako. She recounted her time as a specialist being told that she wouldn’t become a Warrant Officer, but she proved them wrong and continues to demonstrate that same strength at the Fort Liberty Soldier Recovery Unit where she is currently assigned after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022.
A shocking diagnosis for Tsuhako, who admits that it was tough to accept, however the SRU has been the driving force behind her healing and strength both physically and mentally.
“I kind of shut down, I got scared, I didn’t know how bad chemotherapy was going to be,” she said.
Tsuhako didn’t want her military career to end but she knew that this diagnosis would change her life, so she donated her hair before she lost it all. A brave step for her as she did not want to walk around with no hair. Head gear and encouragement from her spouse kept her going. She also found encouragement in knowing other breast cancer survivors.
“I had a good chance, they caught the breast cancer early and this year has been amazing,” she explained. “The support of the staff and my family has been phenomenal.”
She praises the team at the SRU and the doctors for their support and expertise which gives her confidence to participate in the different activities, because she knows that they are there to help her. Adaptive sports and reconditioning activities play a major role in the recovery of wounded, ill and injured Soldiers.
“The focus of the SRU is to heal and recover,” added Tsuhako. “This is the bonus that you get; I have lost weight, gotten more active and I am in a better physical health condition. I never did archery and cycling until I got here, and they are relaxing.”
“I really didn’t know what the SRU had to offer until I started adaptive sports, and I was still not 100 percent,” she said. “I am not 100 percent now, but where I was at physically, it got me out and then I started to get strong enough to hold the bow up for archery and started the stationary bike to get stronger for cycling.”
During the Army Trials and Warrior Games, Soldiers and veterans compete in archery, cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, field, wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing, powerlifting, and wheelchair rugby.
Tsuhako urges those assigned to the SRU to utilize the programs.
“It opens a lot of doors for you and there are lots of opportunities,” she said. “If you think you have limitations, they will push you beyond those limitations. Your injury or disability doesn’t matter.”
She has never been in a competition like this before, but what strikes her is that everyone at Army trials is pushing through pain and giving their absolute best.
“You have to because you are not competing against others, you are competing against yourself,” explained Tsuhako. “No one else has your same classification or struggles.” Everyone is giving 110 percent despite injuries you can see and those you can’t.”
Tsuhako finds that inspiring because each of them are fighting their own individual battles and they are giving it their all, in their own way.
“Everyone is competitive, but it is family competitive,’” she said. “Everyone is doing their best with the limitations that they have, and you are there to cheer them on no matter what.”
The Army Recovery Care Program has provided her with the necessary resources and care to thrive, and she is grateful for the unwavering support of her family and the Army Recovery Care Team. With her unbreakable spirit and the SRU’s support, she is ready to take on any challenge that comes her way.
“If I make the team, I’m going to give it everything,” Tsuhako said. “This is huge, and I am excited.”
| Date Taken: | 03.07.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 03.08.2024 14:27 |
| Story ID: | 465583 |
| Location: | FORT LIBERTY, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Soldier beats the odds by finding strength in challenges, by Keisha Frith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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