Reaching New Heights

The VA summer sports clinic gives disabled veterans a can do spirit.

“Oh, MAN – I gotta GET me one of these,” exclaims retired Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Major.

Major, who lost both legs from an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving in Iraq in 2006, was on the track at the U.S. Olympic Training  Center in Chula Vista, Calif., where he had left his wheelchair off to the side to try out a racing chair. It was there, on that hot September morning, that Major had his life-changing epiphany.

“I can do this,” Major realized.

He had been a bit apprehensive at first as he transferred to the racing chair and received instructions on its operation. His movement was initially hesitant and unstructured as he started his run down the track. When he came back, “It was like I was flying!” Turns out Major is quite a natural.

Improving Body & Mind

Major was one of more than 100 recently disabled veterans from across the country who came to the San Diego area Sept. 16–21 to participate in the 5th National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The clinic is designed to provide early intervention for veterans battling back from injury by not only strengthening their bodies but also overcoming and improving their overall being and self-worth through adaptive sports activities.

These veterans, who have a variety of conditions ranging from traumatic brain injury and spinal-cord injury to visual impairments and loss of limb(s), are introduced to adaptive methods for activities including surfing, sailing, cycling, kayaking, and track and field events.

 

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