Many military servicemembers sustain injuries during combat that leave them disabled in one way or another. These veterans may struggle to accept that their life after service will be much less active than before. Yet, the Veterans Adaptive Sports program is offering these disabled vets an opportunity to continue participating in the sports and activities they love. This organization strives to help rehabilitate former servicemembers with injuries to the spinal cord, visual and hearing impairments, amputations and neurological disorders.
Dave Tuttle, a coach with Veterans Adaptive Sports, told WPTV News, "Our main objective is to get disabled veterans to plug back into recreational activities that they're a little apprehensive to get started in."
Tuttle and other coaches assist the disabled veterans with activities like scuba diving and skiing. Tuttle credits the success of the program to advances in technology. He said that in previous decades, the wounded veterans would be confined to games like checkers and cards. However, technological advances have provided them with the equipment necessary to make it possible for them to participate in these action-heavy activities.
The Veterans Adaptive Sports program is meant to give disabled veterans back the confidence they once had and help them find joy in their new situations.
According to the National Center for PTSD, 23 percent of veterans will experience post-traumatic stress disorder. This mental condition can make it difficult for veterans to readjust to normal lives and find fulfillment in life after service. However, there is a group of volunteers in Oregon City, Oregon, that hopes to help veterans find a new way to cope with PTSD. The group, Team River Runner, takes veterans who have sustained physical injury or are experiencing PTSD on paddling excursions down the Willamette River.
Every year, about 200 veterans benefit from Team River Runner's paddling program.
Roy Decker, a Navy veteran with 10 years of service under his belt, told KATU News that it was nice to know that there were people out there who still cared about helping veterans. Decker said that floating down the river gave him a sense of serenity and helped him get away from the stresses of PTSD. He was on the USS Cole when it was bombed but said that participating in Team River Runner's program helped him rediscover peace of mind.
The program also provides kayaks for veterans with physical disabilities and sometimes teams up with Oregon Disability Sports. Visit their website for more information.
Some elderly people take up knitting. Others prefer fishing. For a group of elderly veterans, sports and physical activity are still the primary source of entertainment. The National Veterans Golden Age Games is a sporting event open to military veterans age 55 or older and who receive health care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The games are meant to provide a fun way for aging veterans to rehabilitate and improve their quality of life. It is also a way to help the veterans cope with PTSD or physical disabilities they may have sustained in their service.
Henry Lee Preston, a javelin competitor and 64-year-old Vietnam veteran, has participated in the games eight times. Lee told Alabama.com that the games were a way for him to stay fit year-round and to connect with other older veterans from around the country. He also uses the games as a way to connect with his grandchildren, whom he takes with him when he trains in his local park.
Over 800 veterans come together to compete and share reunion stories. These former servicemembers compete in such competitions as racquetball, bowling, table tennis, dominoes and many more. This year's games will be held in Omaha, Nebraska, Aug. 8-12.
Military servicemembers and first responders have some of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Not only that, but they are more likely to experience a traumatic event than people in other careers. As a result, individuals who serve in the military and work as firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and other first responders have a high probability of developing post-traumatic stress disorder, a mental health condition that can greatly affect the quality of an individual's life. AFBA has compiled a list of seven programs designed to help servicemembers, veterans and first responders heal their PTSD.
1. Starlight Military Program
The Stonington Institute launched this program after World War II. The Starlight Military Program specializes in unique treatment for active duty servicemembers and veterans. It offers cognitive therapy and substance abuse programs.
2. Paws for Veterans
One issue many veterans face while dealing with PTSD is the feeling of isolation. Paws for Veterans works to eliminate these feelings by pairing returned servicemembers with a trained dog in need of adoption. The dogs are trained to have a variety of special skills, including therapy and guide dog behaviors.
3. The Station House Retreat
The program was specifically designed by first responders to assist other first responders with their PTSD recovery. Firefighters, police officers, paramedics and other first responders can come to The Station House Retreat to participate in therapy sessions, exercise programs, meditation and medication management classes all designed to treat PTSD.
4. Homecoming for Veterans
The EEG Institute developed this program to better understand the effects of PTSD on the brain. Homecoming for Veterans provides free neurofeedback and PTSD treatment for former military servicemembers. Not only is this program providing care for veterans, but it is working to better understand the neurological damage they experience in order to improve treatment.
5. Omega Veterans Trauma and Resilience Program
This program was created by health care professionals to help veterans heal from PTSD and other problems that may arise because of the trauma they experienced. Omega offers a variety of seminars and therapy sessions.
6. Princeton House First Responder Program
This inpatient program is designed to provide first responders with whole-body healing methods. It focuses on mental health therapy. The Princeton House First Responder Program teaches first responders who are experiencing PTSD to rediscover the mind-body-spirit connection through fitness, counseling and medication management.
7. Meghan's Foundation
The program was developed with the purpose of providing alternative healing to veterans dealing with PTSD. Meghan's Foundation offers veterans a chance to heal through yoga and meditation as opposed to doctors and medication. The foundation is designed to teach veterans to self-heal and rely on their inner strengths.
PTSD can be a life-altering condition, and many veterans and first responders will be faced with overcoming the challenges of this disorder. Fortunately, there are a number of programs created specifically for individuals in these careers. These programs offer healing, counseling, support and guidance as those coping with PTSD navigate toward healing. The VA also offers a regional-specific list of PTSD help.
On Aug. 8, country music artist Ricky Lee will host a concert to benefit veterans. The event is part of his Music-4-R-Vets campaign, a program Lee designed to demonstrate the healing power and therapeutic benefits of music for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. On his website, Lee defined music as "a mind altering noise with the potential to induce joy, happiness, memories, bliss, merriment and mirth."
Not only does the artist understand the ability of music to help veterans, but many of his songs are written specifically with returned servicemembers in mind. Some popular titles include "Welcome Home" and "She's an American Soldier."
The concert will be held outdoors on the oval of the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Virginia, and will begin at 1:30 pm. Aside from the concert, which is free for veterans, Lee's famous "Freedom Cart" will make an appearance. The cart is hand-painted and custom built with veterans' uniforms and patches for seat covers. It is meant as a symbol to honor veterans. This performance is one of many that Lee plans to hold in VA centers across the country.
For a complete list of Lee's patriotic concerts, click here.
The American Journal of Medicine reported that 23 percent of veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder at some point in their life after service. There are counseling programs and peer support available to help veterans through this challenging condition, but one California man has found an alternative way to help veterans heal. Elias Gallegos owns Gracie Jiu Jitsu in Chula Vista, California. Gallegos uses his business to give veterans an alternative coping option when dealing with PTSD.
"Some people preach from the pulpit, some people heal from the doctor's room, and I heal from the mat," Gallegos told Fox 5 News.
Gallegos and other trainers at his gym offer Brazilian jiu jitsu classes to veterans. The sport gives returned servicemembers a safe place to release their aggression and connect with others going through similar difficulties. Many of the veterans who have gone through Gallegos' program, which is free to veterans, say that it helped them settle back into a normal routine and rediscover interests.
Experts agree that exercise is one of the most beneficial treatments for PTSD and depression, and the Gracie Jiu Jitsu program is in no shortage of physical demand. Most classes last a sweat-packed and heart-racing hour. Visit the gym's website for more information.
Saint Louis University recently approved reduced tuition cost for firefighters, police officers and other first responders looking to continue their education. This lowered rate will take effect on Aug. 17, the start of the Fall 2015 term. The cost per credit hour will now be $400 for first responders who enroll in the university's School of Professional Studies. The university made the decision to offer the same lowered rate to veterans and active duty military personnel last school year and decided it was time to extend the program to first responders.
The university's president, Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., told PR Web, "At Saint Louis University, we recognize that first responders continuously go above and beyond in their day-to-day lives, and we are proud to recognize their service to our community as part of the Jesuit mission."
Both current and new students are allowed to apply for this program, giving them access to the many courses offered by SLU. More than 20 of those courses in the School of Professional Studies programs are online and designed with busy lifestyles in mind. This makes it perfect for first responders, who often have hectic schedules.
When people think of the Army, they don't usually think of their favorite food. However, the military is responsible for creating some of America's tastiest treats. Take a look at which foods are products of the U.S. military.
1. Supermarket bread
Out of necessity, the military created bread that lasts much longer than it used to. Regular bread goes stale and grows mold much faster than supermarket bread. This is because the bread you buy at the store is treated with starch-eating bacterial enzymes. These enzymes keep the bread soft and safe to eat longer.
2. Cheetos
During World War II, the military needed a way to reduce the volume and weight of its food shipments without losing the caloric intake of its soldiers. As a result, they created a full-fat dehydrated cheese product. When the war ended, the manufacturers responsible for the production of this food decided to add it to crunchy corn snacks, and the Cheeto was born.
3. TV dinners
While we mostly enjoy these convenient meals in front of the television or computer screen now, they were originally intended to feed bomber crews during World War II. These crews often had to take long overnight flights to get to their mission point, so the military found a way to freeze the basic parts of a meal such as meat, vegetables and starches in a tray for later heating.
4. Energy bars
For centuries, the military struggled with convenient, portable ways to keep its soldiers fed and alert. Luckily, in 1940, the Hershey corporation invented a melt-resistant chocolate bar for World War II soldiers. The Hershey invention was later freeze-dried and sent to space with the first astronauts, but it still had not reached its full potential. Not until Natick Soldier Systems Center took control in the mid-1960s did the modern energy bar take shape. While most energy bars today are dessert flavored, Natick's initial product was hamburger flavored.
5. The McRib
The military cannot really take credit for inventing the McRib, but the sandwich would not exist without military technology. In 1976, the Natick Soldier Systems Center innovated military rations once more. They needed a way to reduce the amount of money spent on meat, so they restructured cheaper cuts to look like tasty expensive ones. A few years later, fast food powerhouse McDonald's borrowed the process to create the seasonal meal we know today.
Maybe you didn't think of the military as an inventor of food before, but maybe now you do. Many of America's favorite foods are the direct result of military supply and demand.
A big part of returning to civilian life after service is deciding what the next steps are. For many, an important aspect of reintegrating is getting a higher education that will lead to a successful career. Choosing which school to attend should not add stress to your return home, so AFBA has compiled a list of the top eight colleges for veterans.
1. Texas A&M University
Located in College Station, Texas, this agriculture and mechanical college is one of the friendliest toward veterans. The university's website even has a special landing page dedicated to assisting veterans with the application and scholarship process. Of the almost 54,000 students that attend Texas A&M every year, 79 percent graduate.
2. University of South Florida
What better place to attend college than sunny Tampa, Florida? Just like Texas A&M, the University of South Florida offers an Office of Veterans Resources to assist returned servicemembers with their education. With a 63 percent graduation rate and over 180 undergraduate programs to choose from, veterans who attend the University of South Florida will not be disappointed.
3. Ohio State University
If you plan to become a Buckeye, you will be among the 1,800 other returned servicemembers who attend this university. Half of all Ohio State University students graduate, and with a 4-star rated academic support system, it is not hard to see why.
4. Rutgers University
This New Jersey-based university is rated among the top in the country for on-campus veterans services. Nearly 70 percent of Rutgers students graduate with a degree. This university has a reputation for accepting GI-Bill students and providing excellent academic guidance.
5. University of Oklahoma
Aside from its reputation for elite athletics, the University of Oklahoma is also known for having a welcoming attitude toward veterans. The university offers an on-campus Veterans Support Alliance and has a number of academic support centers. The University of Oklahoma also has one of the best student to faculty ratios (18:1) of any public university in the country.
6. Texas Tech University
The Red Raiders are notorious for being a veteran-friendly university. Their video, "Texas Tech: We got your 6," shows just how committed the campus is to creating a welcoming environment for former servicemembers to come and learn. Texas Tech is just behind the University of Oklahoma in student to faculty ratio (20:1), but the opportunities on this campus are numerous.
7. University of Missouri
Mizzou has a unique on-campus program that provides veterans with a hotline number they can call at any time and will be connected to another student-veteran. This creates a tight-knit group of former servicemembers committed to one another's academic success. This university also has a graduation rate of 70 percent.
8. San Diego State University
With an acceptance rate of 34 percent, San Diego State University is an achievable challenge for veterans looking to get a higher education. Over 1,000 veterans proudly attend this university and 66 percent of all the students who enroll graduate. SDSU offers small class sizes and plenty of veteran support.
Obtaining an education is an exciting part of life after service. Hopefully, the list above will help you in deciding on which college best suits your needs.
In the 2011 soccer match between the U.S. men's team, the American Outlaws, and Mexico, Mexican supporters outnumbered fans from the U.S. 20 to 1. The American Outlaws fan group hopes to change that this year by sending active duty military, veterans and their families to the game. The group intends to send about 2,500 veterans to the match, which is scheduled to take place Oct. 9 at the Rose Bowl. The match is a qualifier for the Confederations Cup, which will be held in Russia in 2017.
The American Outlaws fan group started a GoFundMe page with the original intent of raising $5,000. When they easily met that goal, they increased their request to $15,000 in an attempt to buy 10 rows of 25 seats for active servicemembers and veterans. The U.S. coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, helped them surpass that goal as well with a generous $1,000 donation. The group and its supporters now hope to purchase an entire section of the Rose Bowl for veterans to go and support the U.S. team.
The fan group's thought is that that by sending the active duty personnel and veterans, they can increase the number of American supporters in the stands to help cheer the team on to victory.