Wounded Warriors Introduced to Adaptive Athletics at East Coast Training Camp

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Seriously wounded, ill and injured Sailors attended Navy Wounded Warrior - Safe Harbor's first adaptive athletics camp at Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 8-10.

"This event marks our first adaptive athletics camp at an East Coast location, and we hope to continue providing opportunities to wounded warrior athletes in the area," said Capt. Steve Hall, director, Navy Wounded Warrior - Safe Harbor program.

"The Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) staff at Naval Station Norfolk, as well as the local community, made us feel very welcome, and the camp is surely the beginning of a wonderful partnership," Hall said.

Wounded warrior athletes from the local community, as well as from the Washington, D.C. area, were introduced to swimming, seated volleyball and wheelchair basketball at world-class facilities. They also participated in strength training exercises and met with a sports psychologist and a nutritionist.

"I would have to say that this intro camp has helped me to get out of my shell," said Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Jacob Wright. "Everyone was very accommodating and friendly. I enjoyed the swimming the best; it was a great workout. I can't wait to see what else is to come."

Wright suffered a spinal cord injury last summer during physical training that was aggravated while he was shipboard. He is a Navy Wounded Warrior - Safe Harbor enrollee currently stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Va., and the recent camp was his first experience with adaptive athletics.

On the first day of the camp, student volunteers from Virginia Wesleyan College participated in a seated volleyball scrimmage with the wounded warrior athletes. Additionally, before the camp concluded, the wounded warrior athletes participated in an inter-service tournament with other Sailors and Soldiers from nearby Fort Eustis. The game drew more than 50 spectators.

"This camp was a great starting point to build on in the future as we start incorporating adaptive athletics into our own programs and planning new camps with Navy Wounded Warrior - Safe Harbor," said Anthony Benning, fitness coordinator, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Fitness and Sports at Naval Station Norfolk. "The camp was just terrific. Everyone had an absolute blast during the weekend, including our staff, and we are already talking about our next event."

Research shows that adaptive athletic reconditioning - sports that are modified to meet the abilities of injured or ill individuals - is very beneficial for wounded warriors. Navy Wounded Warrior - Safe Harbor hosts a series of sports camps each year for enrollees; it also connects them with training opportunities available through various partner organizations.

"Although the camp was small, it was a huge opportunity," said Navy Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Chris Suter. "It's a chance to meet people with similar conditions and see how they are adapting. The camp shows you: I'm not down for the count, I can still be competitive. I still have something to train and work toward."

Suter was diagnosed in 2010 with Cushing's Syndrome, a disease that affects only one in four million people. He underwent a successful surgery to remove a brain tumor caused by the disease; he has since been returned to full duty and is an avid athlete.

To learn more about how Navy Wounded Warrior - Safe Harbor supports Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, including its adaptive athletic reconditioning program, visit http://safeharbor.navylive.dodlive.mil, call 855-NAVY WWP (628-9997), or email navywoundedwarrior@navy.mil.
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