Stories of Hope

“After I understood the extent of my injuries, I realized that I might not make it out of this alive, and I wasn’t certain if it would be a life worth living, with a body worth living in. There was so much that I still wanted to do and so many people to live for. I decided to try what others referred to as ‘adaptive sports’ such as volleyball and horseback riding which proved unfulfilling. When I came to Vail Veterans Program, I tried mono skiing and for the first time since being injured, I felt an adrenal rush and felt alive. Thank God I did. I found a family of people and friends that I still network with. This is a special community and the entire town takes part in this. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for my family and I.”

“Being with other caregivers on the Vail Veterans Program Caregivers Retreat feels empowering and safe. We all understand each other, we’re able to discuss things openly and freely, without having to worry and knowing that we can be there for one another, that’s the most important thing. People that don’t know these things, they want to be there, they want to understand, but they can’t. We know how to help each other get through it, it’s a world of a difference. This is what can make us feel whole again.”

Being at the Vail Veterans Program has been an eye opener for me. I am so protective of Greg and sometimes I wonder if I am more nervous about everything than he is. But seeing him say, “Go faster” when he was horseback riding lifted my confidence in him so much and it is such a relieving feeling. At Walter Reed Medical Center we couldn’t get him to do or say anything at all. Tonight I asked him if he wanted to walk a few steps and he smiled and said, “yep” and walked more than he has ever walked at one time since his injury. I can see that his confidence and happiness is on a whole new level and it is a blessing.

My wife and I would like to thank the Vail Veterans Program for the great opportunity to visit Vail in January 2012.  We are very humbled by the generosity of the Vail community and the Vail Veterans Program.  I did not think it would be possible for me to learn to ski after losing both my legs in Afghanistan in July 2011.  The experience has given me more hope during my rehabilitation and reassurance that I can still do the things I love.”

Golf, for me, is physical and mental. Physically, golf has improved my balance and core strength, swinging a golf club is no easy task, especially on prosthetics. Mentally, when I get frustrated by the daily obstacles of wearing prosthetics and being in a wheelchair its nice to be to go out and hit a few balls and clear my head. Although therapy is a great reason for me to paly golf, no reason is more important than being able to play golf with my son.  Because I have lost my legs I can’t run or jump so I won’t be able to play sport like football or basketball with him.  But I can swing a club and will be able to play 18 holes with him when he’s old enough.

“This program is a lifeline. It wasn’t just a lifeline for the disabled vets that are struggling with depression and needed to get out, or those struggling with their rehab and trying to explore new hobbies, it is also a lifeline to those disabled vets who needed to meet other injured service members and connect with them. I met some of the best people on this trip who I had an instant connection with because they were going through the same experiences I was. The staff at Vail Vets were humble and very accepting of us. They taught us that even though some of us are missing limbs, burned, or injured in other fashions, we have the same abilities as others. They gave us a task that inspired confidence in ourselves. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.”