DISABLED SPORTS WARRIOR SPIRIT AWARD

I was privileged to spend the week with the Wounded Warriors during our Ability Celebration and I saw first hand the healing and the growth both physically and mentally that your support makes happen. Most of the Wounded Warriors who attend our events are still on active duty and still in the military hospital. The doctors and rehabilitation staff view participation in our sports rehabilitation camps as an important part of the rehab process.

I was deeply touched at the Bash when I gave Trey the Warrior Spirit Award for his determination to adapt and overcome. He lost a leg to a rocket propelled grenadea a few months ago and nearly lost both legs. His other wounds hadn’t healed enough for him to try a prosthesis yet so he was in a wheelchair

With us he learned to monoski, and it was truly a miracle on the mountain. He told me that his mom cried when he called her to tell her he had skied. I thought he would make a short, eloquent speech when I gave him the award. He cried. Couldn’t talk. His fiancé said, "He never cries."

Those were tears of joy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISABLED SPORTS BEYOND ABILITY AWARD

At our annual Ability Bash  on March 26th I presented an award to an outstanding individual who exemplifies the motto of Disavled Sports USA, "If I can do this, I can do anything". It is given to individuals who exhibit unusual determination.

The Beyond Ability Award went to Jake Gibbons. Jake worked in Greenland and Antartica setting up base camps for scientists. Two winters ago he got caught out in a storm and was written off for dead by his team. But Jake survived and made it back to the rest of the crew. However, frostnite took both of his legs and an arm.

When I met Jake he was in pretty bad shape both physically and mentally. Of course, I encouraged him and tried my best to help him come to terms with his situation. I got him to go up to the school for a ski lesson. The last two months Jake has been a member of our High Performance Team, learning to race on two prosthetic legs. Recently, he went to an elementary school with me. We showed the kids our artificial legs and Jake showed them how his hook works.

Jake is going to be just fine, Thank you.