“Adaptive sports provide an amazing opportunity to show the world that the wounds of war do not define our injured heroes,” said Lee Woodruff, cofounder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
Rockville, Maryland (PRWEB) July 11, 2016
More than 400 disabled veterans in 15 states received adaptive sports instruction thanks to the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s generous support of Disabled Sports USA’s Warfighter Sports program. Programs served newly injured veterans at major military medical centers including Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center and the Naval Medical Center San Diego, as well as veterans in their home communities through Disabled Sports USA’s nationwide network of more than 120 community-based chapters.
“Adaptive sports provide an amazing opportunity to show the world that the wounds of war do not define our injured heroes,” said Lee Woodruff, cofounder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. “The Warfighter Sports program not only promotes healing, it gives veterans a new outlook on life by showing them the potential of their resilience and spirit."
In addition to supporting 29 adaptive sports programs, the Bob Woodruff Foundation continued their support of the Helmets for Heroes program, providing more than 480 sport helmets to improve the safety of warriors participating with 37 different chapters. Disabled Sports USA also provided 2,000 concussion awareness and Traumatic Brain Injury safety booklets to adaptive sports instructors to help improve awareness of issues specific to the warrior population.
“Adaptive sports provide a vital role in the rehabilitation process for severely injured veterans,” said Kirk Bauer, JD, Executive Director of Disabled Sports USA and a disabled Vietnam veteran. “The support from the Bob Woodruff Foundation will help veterans rebuild their lives through sports and develop independence, confidence and fitness.”
A Harris Interactive survey of more than 1,000 adults with disabilities showed that disabled veterans participating in Disabled Sports USA adaptive sports programs were significantly happier, healthier and more likely to be employed than those not participating in adaptive sports.
“The veteran’s archery program has meant a lot to me. It has provided a safe place for me to enjoy archery and helped me to grow in both skill and knowledge,” said a veteran participant. “Most of all it has been a place for me to work on the tools I have learned in other therapies to help manage my disabilities."
The Bob Woodruff Foundation works to ensure injured veterans and their families are thriving long after they return home. The team at Bob Woodruff Foundation navigates the maze of over 46,000 nonprofit organizations to find and fund innovative programs in communities where veterans, their families and caregivers live and work. Receiving a grant from Bob Woodruff Foundation recognizes the dedication, focus and effectiveness of Disabled Sports USA’s chapters, staff, volunteers and supporters.
About the Bob Woodruff Foundation
Helping heroes on the homefront
The Bob Woodruff Foundation is the nonprofit dedicated to ensuring injured service members, veterans and their families are thriving long after they return home. A national organization with grassroots reach, the Bob Woodruff Foundation complements the work of the federal government —diligently navigating the maze of more than 46,000 nonprofits providing services to veterans—finds, funds and shapes innovative programs, and holds them accountable for results. To date, we have invested more than $30 million in innovative programs, reaching more than 2 million service members, veterans and their families. The Bob Woodruff Foundation was co-founded in 2006 by award-winning anchor Bob Woodruff and his family, after their own experiences inspired them to help make sure our nation’s heroes have access to the highest level of support and resources they deserve, for as long as they need it.
About Warfighter Sports
Warfighter Sports, a program of Disabled Sports USA, offers sports rehabilitation for wounded warriors with permanent physical disabilities in military hospitals and communities across the U.S. in partnership with a nationwide network of over 120 community-based chapters. Since 1967, Disabled Sports USA has proudly served wounded warriors, including those injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, offering over 50 winter and summer sports at more than 100 events each year. Warfighter Sports rebuilds lives through sports by improving self-confidence, promoting independence and uniting families through shared healthy activities.
Contributions cover all expenses for participation of the warrior and a family member, including individualized adaptive instruction, adaptive sports equipment, transportation, lodging and meals. Since 2003, more than 10,000 of the most severely wounded and their families have been served, including those with amputations, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, visual impairments, and significant nerve and muscle damage. For more information, visit http://www.warfightersports.org.