The Warrior Games showcases the best the Armed Forces has to offer, and one servicemember in particular is certainly a testament to that. After being told she'd never walk again, Spc. Elizabeth Wasil, has turned herself into an elite paralympian and will be competing in the upcoming Warrior Games at the U.S. Air Force Academy and Olympic Training Center, according to the Army's official website.
Wasil was injured in Iraq in 2010, and it didn't take long for her to jump into physical therapy. Aside from succeeding as a swimmer, she will also be competing at the games in the shot put, wheelchair racing and cycling. While she relishes the competition, to Wasil the Warrior Games represent more than that. Much like many other wounded servicemembers, she says that sports have helped her in the mental recovery from her injuries.
"[The games] gave me a whole new drive, showed me things I never would've known that I was even able to do," Wasil told the website. "It gave me an entire different outlet that I didn't know was there. It helps give injured soldiers a really strong foundation amongst each other, because there is no better support than a fellow injured soldier."
Since it began in 2010, the Warrior Games have welcomed hundreds of injured, wounded or ill servicemembers each year. This year, the games are scheduled for May 17.