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The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) use Adaptive Sports as part of the healing process for returning injured service members and veterans. Adaptive Sports have been made popular by many motivated Wounded Warriors across the globe. Wounded veterans now compete in the highest of levels of international competition at the U.S. Paralympics or in the Invictus Games, as well as in Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs' sanctioned programs.
From the VA Website: The mission of the VA National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events Office is to motivate, encourage, and sustain participation and competition in adaptive sports among disabled Veterans and members of the Armed Forces through partnerships with VA clinical personnel as well as national and community-based adaptive sports programs. The Office achieves this mission by providing information and resources to disabled Veterans, their support networks, and those in the adaptive sports community.
There are many other Department of Defense and Veteran Affairs programs that feature Adaptive Sports as a model for helping the wounded service members and veterans.
INTANGIBLE BENEFITS OF SUCH PROGRAMS
The Wounded Warriors receive much more than a venue to compete in sports, they receive much of what they miss when they leave the military abruptly and not of their choosing. The intangible benefits of Adaptive Sports programs are:
Being part of something again (bigger than themselves)
Knowing that they are inspiring others to "never give up"
A sense of camaraderie and not feeling "different"
Knowing that others appreciate, support, and cheer their efforts and hard work
Burning off stress and staying physically fit through regular activity
Feeling like they are on a new mission in life
And -- most importantly -- having a better quality of life through learning skills and practice
By nature, service members are givers, the ultimate team mates, who choose to serve others. Adaptive Sports and competitions allow them to be a part of a team (unit) again with a common "redefined" mission.
TRAINING ALLOWANCES
Training allowances are available for our veteran athletes who compete on Paralympic levels.
The VA National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events Office provides a monthly assistance allowance for disabled veterans as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 322(d) and Section 703 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 for qualifying athletes training in Paralympic sports.
Through the program, the VA will pay a monthly allowance to a Veteran with either a service-connected or non-service-connected disability if the Veteran meets the minimum military standards or higher (e.g., Emerging, Talent Pool, National Team) in his or her respective sport at a recognized competition. In addition to making the military standard, an athlete must be nationally or internationally classified by his or her respective sport federation as eligible for Paralympic competition within 6 or 12 months of a qualifying performance.
Athletes must have established training and competition plans, and are responsible for turning in monthly and quarterly reports in order to continue receiving the monthly assistance allowance. The allowance rate for an athlete approved for monetary assistance is the same as the 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) rate, which in FY 2013 ranged from $500 up to $1,100 per month, depending on the number of dependents.
VA Forms for the Paralympic Training Allowance
MORE PROGRAMS TO JOIN OR ASSIST AS A VOLUNTEER:
The Valor Games promotes healthy, active lifestyles and is important to successful community reintegration. The Valor Games proudly support such endeavors. World Sport Chicago hosted the first Valor Games in 2011. All regional events are organized in partnership with U.S. Paralympics and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Wheelchair Games – A Department of Veterans Affairs athletic competition held in various regions around the United States for wounded service members and veterans.
Adaptive Sports Clinics – See for when and where these clinics in a variety of skills and sports take place around the United States.
Adaptive Sports Schedule – See for games, clinics, and camps on Adaptive Sports for 2016.
Adaptive Sports Facebook Page – Join and get inspired by our athletes and see how you can participate.
Invictus Games – an International Competition for Wounded Military Members from 15 different countries competing in ten different sporting events, developed by Prince Harry of Wales. The 2016 Invictus Games were televised on ESPN2 and held in Orlando.
Adaptive Sport inspires recovery and support rehabilitation. The amount of respect and growing understanding that the pubic learns from observing these events is also helpful to the recovering athlete.
Welcoming our service members back home and learning how to assist in a "new normal" is all of our responsibility. Find out more about how you can help or support our veterans in other ways (employment opportunities, job skills training, resume writing, etc).
To our Veterans: Thank you for your service, your continued inspiration, and reminding us to "Never Quit!"
@SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas , Capt Christopher Mueller , CPT (Join to see) , COL Mikel J. Burroughs , Sgt Joe LaBranche , SSgt (Join to see), TSgt Hunter Logan Capt Seid Waddell SrA Christopher Wright LTC Stephen F. PO2 Ed C. PO2 Mark Saffell MSG Tom Earley PVT James Strait Alan K. @po1 william "chip" PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Maj Kim Patterson @SGT John McConnell SGT John " Mac " McConnell
From the VA Website: The mission of the VA National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events Office is to motivate, encourage, and sustain participation and competition in adaptive sports among disabled Veterans and members of the Armed Forces through partnerships with VA clinical personnel as well as national and community-based adaptive sports programs. The Office achieves this mission by providing information and resources to disabled Veterans, their support networks, and those in the adaptive sports community.
There are many other Department of Defense and Veteran Affairs programs that feature Adaptive Sports as a model for helping the wounded service members and veterans.
INTANGIBLE BENEFITS OF SUCH PROGRAMS
The Wounded Warriors receive much more than a venue to compete in sports, they receive much of what they miss when they leave the military abruptly and not of their choosing. The intangible benefits of Adaptive Sports programs are:
Being part of something again (bigger than themselves)
Knowing that they are inspiring others to "never give up"
A sense of camaraderie and not feeling "different"
Knowing that others appreciate, support, and cheer their efforts and hard work
Burning off stress and staying physically fit through regular activity
Feeling like they are on a new mission in life
And -- most importantly -- having a better quality of life through learning skills and practice
By nature, service members are givers, the ultimate team mates, who choose to serve others. Adaptive Sports and competitions allow them to be a part of a team (unit) again with a common "redefined" mission.
TRAINING ALLOWANCES
Training allowances are available for our veteran athletes who compete on Paralympic levels.
The VA National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events Office provides a monthly assistance allowance for disabled veterans as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 322(d) and Section 703 of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 for qualifying athletes training in Paralympic sports.
Through the program, the VA will pay a monthly allowance to a Veteran with either a service-connected or non-service-connected disability if the Veteran meets the minimum military standards or higher (e.g., Emerging, Talent Pool, National Team) in his or her respective sport at a recognized competition. In addition to making the military standard, an athlete must be nationally or internationally classified by his or her respective sport federation as eligible for Paralympic competition within 6 or 12 months of a qualifying performance.
Athletes must have established training and competition plans, and are responsible for turning in monthly and quarterly reports in order to continue receiving the monthly assistance allowance. The allowance rate for an athlete approved for monetary assistance is the same as the 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) rate, which in FY 2013 ranged from $500 up to $1,100 per month, depending on the number of dependents.
VA Forms for the Paralympic Training Allowance
MORE PROGRAMS TO JOIN OR ASSIST AS A VOLUNTEER:
The Valor Games promotes healthy, active lifestyles and is important to successful community reintegration. The Valor Games proudly support such endeavors. World Sport Chicago hosted the first Valor Games in 2011. All regional events are organized in partnership with U.S. Paralympics and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Wheelchair Games – A Department of Veterans Affairs athletic competition held in various regions around the United States for wounded service members and veterans.
Adaptive Sports Clinics – See for when and where these clinics in a variety of skills and sports take place around the United States.
Adaptive Sports Schedule – See for games, clinics, and camps on Adaptive Sports for 2016.
Adaptive Sports Facebook Page – Join and get inspired by our athletes and see how you can participate.
Invictus Games – an International Competition for Wounded Military Members from 15 different countries competing in ten different sporting events, developed by Prince Harry of Wales. The 2016 Invictus Games were televised on ESPN2 and held in Orlando.
Adaptive Sport inspires recovery and support rehabilitation. The amount of respect and growing understanding that the pubic learns from observing these events is also helpful to the recovering athlete.
Welcoming our service members back home and learning how to assist in a "new normal" is all of our responsibility. Find out more about how you can help or support our veterans in other ways (employment opportunities, job skills training, resume writing, etc).
To our Veterans: Thank you for your service, your continued inspiration, and reminding us to "Never Quit!"
@SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas , Capt Christopher Mueller , CPT (Join to see) , COL Mikel J. Burroughs , Sgt Joe LaBranche , SSgt (Join to see), TSgt Hunter Logan Capt Seid Waddell SrA Christopher Wright LTC Stephen F. PO2 Ed C. PO2 Mark Saffell MSG Tom Earley PVT James Strait Alan K. @po1 william "chip" PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Maj Kim Patterson @SGT John McConnell SGT John " Mac " McConnell
Adaptive Sports for Veterans
Posted from military.com
Sports
Fitness
Health
Disabled Veterans
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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Well thought out program to help Veterans recover and feel they have self worth. As I have experienced the loss of camaraderie when I retired, Must be a tremendous burden for a injured soldier to face. As I read the article Adaptive Sports lends it self to bring injured soldiers together so they interact and communicate their situation with each other. They will again have new goals to strive for, and will know PRIDE AND ACCOOMPLISHMENT. Not handicap but HANDIABLE!
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SP5 Mark Kuzinski
Its a very good article and one all should read. My hat is off to all of these "Vet's".
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Thanks for drawing our attention to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) use Adaptive Sports as part of the healing process for returning injured service members and veterans SP5 Mark Kuzinski.
Back in March 2003 when I was recovering from complications from mitral valve repair surgery in Walter Reed Army Medical Center I had foot problems. I had the privilege of getting fitted for orthotics with some of the first soldiers who had lost their legs in OIF and had yet survived.
While I was learning how to use the orthotics they were being fitted for prosthetic feet and legs and learning how to function with them. By and large these very young soldiers were upbeat about the future despite having been wounded severely.
Back in March 2003 when I was recovering from complications from mitral valve repair surgery in Walter Reed Army Medical Center I had foot problems. I had the privilege of getting fitted for orthotics with some of the first soldiers who had lost their legs in OIF and had yet survived.
While I was learning how to use the orthotics they were being fitted for prosthetic feet and legs and learning how to function with them. By and large these very young soldiers were upbeat about the future despite having been wounded severely.
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SP5 Mark Kuzinski These veterans are remarkable and we should all take a close look at their drive and motivation the next time we are complaining about how unfair the world is today - you know who you are???
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SP5 Mark Kuzinski
I know very well who I am COL Mikel J. Burroughs but these vet's humble me every time I read about them or see them in action. I feel so very blessed and fortunate - God bless these "Vet's" Sir.
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