US

Thrill-Seeking Wounded Vets Find Exuberance & Solace in Extreme Sports

Wounded U.S. veterans have found an unlikely way to cope with their injuries — by engaging in extreme and “adaptive” sports.

These men and women are quickly showing that a wheelchair doesn’t prevent someone from engaging in exciting — and sometimes death-defying — physical activities. New technologies, mixed with character and determination, are molding a new breed of wounded soldiers.

Take, for instance, Erik Burmeister, a 37-year-old who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident. While his very serious injury would have emotionally and physically side-lined many others, Burmeister decided to get active by learning to ski and scuba dive. But his quest for exuberant activity didn’t end there. The New York Times has more:

One day, at home in Pennsylvania, he searched the Internet for an activity that would replicate the thrill of his dozen parachute jumps with the Army and stumbled upon information about the Able Pilot program, the group organizing the first wheelchair paragliding class. He was one of the five chosen from more than 100 applicants.

The Able Pilot program is a four-day training initiative that focuses upon teaching individuals the trial-and-error mentality needed to engage in the sport. Considering that participants are in wheelchairs, there’s a great deal to learn to ensure that the sport is engaged in both safely and wisely. The program describes itself as follows:

To help people with disabilities (spinal cord injuries, amputations, and neuromuscular disease) to safely experience the freedom, joys and sense of accomplishment of free flight that paragliding offers.

The ABLE Pilot™ program is a research and instructional program designed to establish and support the development and testing of formal paragliding, hang gliding and ultralight instructional protocol and methods for student pilots with various physical disabilities.

In describing this experience, Burmeister says that he and the others in the Able Pilot program have accepted their limited mobility, but that these sports offer an opportunity to move effortlessly, while enjoying an “incredible” “sense of freedom” again.

Then, there’s 32-year-old Anthony Radetic, a former helicopter pilot, who claims that he thought he’d never fly again after he broke his back in a motorcycle accident.

While Radetic was initially too embarrassed to go outside after his injuries forced him to leave the Army, he, too, was introduced to “adaptive sports.” Radetic left behind his shame and embarrassment and began jet skiiing, downhill skiiing and handcycle racing. He even made the necessary adaptations to his motorcycle so that he could continue to ride it.

These individuals represent changing patterns among injured veterans. The Times explains:

For generations, returning soldiers with serious disabilities, whether sustained in combat or in risky off-duty pursuits like motorcycling, found limited — and relatively tame — options for athletic recreation. But the latest generation of disabled veterans are increasingly returning to the thrill-seeking activities they enjoyed before their injuries.

These inspirational veterans are defying the odds. As Kirk Bauer, executive director of Disabled Sports USA says, “They are doing things we never thought possible 10 years ago.” And he knows from experience. Bauer, who lost a leg in Vietnam, works through his organization to assist injured veterans in finding solace through athletics.

Certainly, some individuals and groups would view these programs as too risky. As the Times reports, some were hesitant to support the aforementioned programs because of the potential physical risks associated with them. But others believe that these healthy alternatives provide a stark contrast to the depression that often accompanies veterans’ injuries.

Either way, these activities provide an excellent outlet for these men and women.

(h/t The New York Times)

Comments (24)

  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on September 7, 2011 at 10:20am

    Bring all my soldiers HOME.

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • OldVietVet
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 10:25am

    To: WKAN
    I have scars that can’t be resolved by physical activity or overcoming handicaps. The worst post- war effects are those that visit you while you’re asleep–cheer for those that count their worst war handicaps as just missing limbs or disabilities that impair physical prowess!–They’re the “lucky” ones!

    Report Post » OldVietVet  
  • V-MAN MACE
    Posted on September 6, 2011 at 9:21am

    Only sick people get a thrill from their life being threatened by flying bullets and parachuting from heights.

    I’m sane.

    Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • Touche Turtle
      Posted on September 6, 2011 at 6:34pm

      Or . . . . a coward! Do you have a problem with others putting themselves in harm’s way to insure that you live in a Republic where you have Rights and freedoms? I bet not!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on September 7, 2011 at 10:17am

      Are you serious?

      So, because I don’t get a thrill from my life being threatened, I’m a coward?

      AHAHAHAHAH!

      So…because I don’t accept a stupid 40k BRIBE by the military to start a business in overregulated, overtaxed America, and because I don‘t accept the military’s petulant offer to pay for my tuition in progressive-controlled scholarly institutions such as college, just so I can go dodge bullets in wars of false pretense while my compatriots at home’s rights are being trampled by a corrupt federal government, I’m a coward?

      AHAHAHAHAHAH!!!

      You are a joke. These wars are a joke. They aren’t protecting my freedoms and liberties at home, NOR are they protecting my Republic!

      They’re fighting WARS OF FALSE PRETENSE BASED ON BLATANT LIES.

      I want them HOME. NOW!

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
  • Luci Hurley
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:10pm

    I am glad they are able to find activities that help them feel alive again. I am disturbed, however, that at least two of the men described got their injuries while riding motorcycles – not as a result of military duty. They already had a habit of putting their lives in jeopardy, but now that they are severely handicapped we are supposed to think of them as brave instead of foolhardy. I am handicapped and I don‘t do those activities because I don’t want to become MORE handicapped. I am also a mother and when I realized how much my children relied on me I stopped doing stupid activities that could put me in danger (other than, y’know, driving on the freeway). Again, I know that urge to feel freedom of movement – I swim every morning because it is the only safe activity that gives me that feeling – but I don’t swim in shark-infested waters or insist on surfing in hurricanes or go white-water rafting (anymore) because I love and respect the feelings of those who don’t want me killing myself in the name of excitement and “freedom.” I don’t want to be a killjoy, but I just can’t get behind the guy who has gone back to motocycle riding when that is what put him in this condition.

    Report Post » Luci Hurley  
  • wkan
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 5:27pm

    this is just BS. Let me set all non-vets straight. I am a service connected disabled veteran rated totally disabled. Too may vets in these adaptive sports programs are non-service connected being they were injured after service or during personal time on duty. I dont’ begrude them the opportunity to do these sports but far too may just piss me off in that being in a wheel chair ect they are special. I wear leg braces and am paralized from the knees down. I do these same adaptive sports though at 51 I am only put in front of a camera when a sponsor needs a pic of a disabled vet who was disabled in-service while doing his actual job. My issue is the VA loves the photo ops of the new vets and even in that group too many of actual service connected vets never get to do skiing or sled hockey or biking because well they don’t fit the profile the VA needs.

    Report Post »  
    • DaveinNoVa
      Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:41pm

      WKAN,

      “…My issue is the VA loves the photo ops of the new vets and even in that group too many of actual service connected vets never get to do skiing or sled hockey or biking because well they don’t fit the profile the VA needs.”

      I respect your opinion and am thankful for your service and sacrifice.

      Newly disabled vets with severe injuries (including all service connected) are encouraged to participate in adaptive sports with Disabled Sports USA while they are convelescing at the military hospital they are sent to. http://www.dsusa.org

      Report Post »  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:47pm

    I gues after you have faced down death and survived, it’s all about what you can do next. Glad they haven‘t turned into potted plants and are still out there and kickin’ it. Good for them, and god bless!

    Report Post »  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 1:08pm

    Never give up and say you can’t, because YOU CAN!!!

    Report Post » banjarmon  
  • Fitz Gerald
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 12:38pm

    God bless all involved with this :)

    Report Post » Fitz Gerald  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 6:23pm

      OORAH !! Go get em‘ VET’S…..Americans know how to PLAY !!

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
  • amerbur
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 11:18am

    I am so proud of them – Does America have the best, the most brave – Our Future Hope lives here!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • tankyjo
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 10:38am

    That, too, is America!, boys and girls. Probably good for PTSD as well. God bless you richly.Would be nice to see a story on how many foundations and people there are doing this good work.

    Report Post » tankyjo  
  • Bonnieblue2A
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:57am

    For those who know a physically disabled Vet interested in waterskiing:
    http://www.usawaterski.org/pages/divisions/WSDA/main.htm

    Report Post »  
  • YepImaConservative
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:47am

    Dumb-arse. Don’t you know that these things are free for a certain segment of our society? Repeat after me spammer… FLASH MOB!

    Report Post » YepImaConservative  
  • DanWesson455
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:59am

    Hey, they want to enjoy what they can as “LIFE”. Let them do what they want. Here in Western NY at a large Amusement Park a Disabled (No legs) Veteran just died when he was thrown out of a “Man of Steel” Roller coaster. He went on it without his prosthetic legs. His family talked of his love of doing whatever he wanted and he loved Roller coasters. Then they retained an Attorney and are suing the be-jesus out of the Park. Now no one can enjoy the ride for the Amusement Park shut the ride down.
    Nice.

    Report Post » DanWesson455  
    • YepImaConservative
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:12am

      Yepper. We can’t help, or pick who are family members are. I’m sure the Vet out-classed them all. I remember living in Rochester in the early 80′s and enjoying Darien Lake in the summer.

      Report Post » YepImaConservative  
  • YepImaConservative
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:46am

    Disabled Vets (or any disabled member of society for that matter) who doesn’t let their particular disability get in the way of enjoying life to the fullest are an example of perserverence in the face of true adversity. These are the men and women who truly make America great and show the rest of us “those that can… will always do.”

    We who are lucky enough to not have a disability can only watch in awe and have pride in these great Americans.

    Report Post » YepImaConservative  
  • wkw58
    Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:22am

    I commend each and every disabled vet who gets out there and goes above and beyond what society says is ‘the most you’ll be able to do’. As a disabled vet, I know the only thing that limits one is the mind…lick that, and there are no limits. ‘Drive on’ my brothers and sisters!

    Report Post » wkw58  
    • SlimnRanger
      Posted on September 5, 2011 at 8:43am

      This is a rewarding story,shows what a person can do when they set their minds to it,God Bless them

      Report Post »  
    • DaveinNoVa
      Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:52pm

      WKW58,

      Thank you for your service!

      Report Post »  

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