Wounded Warrior sports program brings life back to wounded vets

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mariah Haddenham
  • 11th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  Approximately 35 wounded warriors gathered at Joint Base Andrews West Fitness Center, Nov. 13-16, to participate in the Air Force Adaptive Sports and Reconditioning Program.

The program introduces and sustains participation in adaptive sports and recreational activities for wounded, ill and injured Airmen.

"Our objective is to help these Airmen find a sport or activity they can integrate into their healing process," said Tony Jasso, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Air Force warrior sports program manager.

Some of the activities include volleyball, basketball, golf, rowing, archery, and music therapy.

"These activities allow individuals the opportunity to establish new support networks," Jasso said. "This program helps these warriors get out of their houses and spending more time with their families."

The program works with any Air Force members who have been injured in the line of duty. This includes Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard members.

"You don't have to be in a wheel chair to play sports with us," Jasso said. "We work with a wide variety of injuries and encourage these Airmen to gravitate back towards an active lifestyle, because inactivity kills wounded warriors."

The program creates a different perspective on how the Airmen view their injuries, helps restore confidence, breaks the cycle of feeling like a patient, a mindset that often discourages Airmen, and restores the 'team' outlook by encouraging one another.

"The program taught me that my disease doesn't have to debilitate me," said Deloris Giger, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Air Force Wounded Warrior participant. "They told me they would give me my life back and they did."

Giger, a first-time participant, plans to continue with the program to help inspire others going through circumstances similar to her own that she can relate to.

"I want to be held accountable," Giger said.  "I want someone to tell me that I can do it, not to give up. I want to do that for someone else."

For more information on Air Force Adaptive Sports and Reconditioning Program, call 808-777-7442 or email airforcewoundedwarrior@gmail.com.