World T.E.A.M. Sports' Sea to Shining Sea Finish Encouraged Navy Veteran Nicolette Maroulis to Mentor Other Disabled Veterans
Austin, TX (PRWEB) July 15, 2013 -- Unsure as to what her future may hold, Navy veteran Nicolette Maroulis rode a hand cycle across America with the Sea to Shining Sea team from World T.E.A.M. Sports.
“I jumped on the opportunity,” recalled Maroulis in an exclusive July 11 interview. “People’s doubts are what normally fueled me, but now I had someone that had faith in me, I wasn’t sure how to react. I knew it was a great opportunity that I couldn't pass up.”
Following her participation in the Face of America bicycle and hand cycle ride with disabled veterans from Washington to Gettysburg, she was invited to ride across America with the national non-profit.
“I got involved with World T.E.A.M. Sports during a crucial time in my recovery,” Maroulis said. “I was unsure of what my future held. The emergency was over and I shifted gears from survival to trying to figure out what my new norm would be. The realization that I would never be the same was hitting me and I had to figure out what that meant. I still wasn’t comfortable in my new role as a civilian and felt like I couldn’t relate to those around me. I found myself needing to prove my capabilities to myself.”
As a seven year Master-at-Arms K9 Handler for the Navy, the Hawaiian native was critically injured during her service in 2003. Sustaining hip, shoulder, leg, knee, back and nerve damage, as well as TBI and PTSD, Maroulis used a wheelchair for three and one-half years, uncertain if she would walk again. But, she was determined to try.
Through surgery, intense physical therapy and the strong support of her husband, Maroulis relearned how to walk. “I was barely walking with a cane, in a lot of pain and didn’t have a hand cycle of my own,” she said. “World T.E.A.M. Sports came around.”
Crossing America, Maroulis had the opportunity to spend two months with other adaptive veterans, and to meet the nation she had served. “I was greeted by a Vietnam veteran who was pulled over by the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, he was holding a flag and took as we rode by,” she recalled. “Here is a veteran who did not get a welcome home who took time from his day to honor us. What a huge honor to meet him. I had to pull my bike over to talk to him and get his story.”
Following the ride conclusion, Maroulis transitioned from cycling to the Soldiers to the Summit Himalayan Expedition with World T.E.A.M. Sports. Traveling to the Kingdom of Nepal only two months after reaching Virginia Beach, Maroulis had a life-changing experience.
“There were so many awesome moments,” Maroulis said about the Military Initiative event. “It was a very challenging and honest look at my capabilities. The mountain doesn't let you hide behind pride, you really end up being vulnerable, something I had been trying so hard to avoid. It makes you take an honest look at your strengths and weaknesses.”
Participating in screenings for the documentary “High Ground” that chronicled the climb, Maroulis decided she would use her personal experiences to encourage other veterans. “When I came home, I was so full of motivation I didn’t know where to focus my energy. I found myself seeking out more opportunities. More mountain climbs and bike rides and other activities. Through my excitement I tried to get more people involved.”
Talking with members of the disabled community, Maroulis found that many are reluctant to take on the challenge of a lengthy bicycle ride or climb a high mountain. “Most people had no clue where or how to start training. If you add their injuries into that, they are really lost. Although some may like the idea of climbing a mountain or riding their bike across the country, they believe that is only for people that have trained for years.”
Maroulis began discussing her ideas with veteran Randy Jones about creating an organization that could help those with disabilities who needed to begin training before taking on larger sporting activities. Through their discussions, the non-profit Summit International Development Group was created. Serving as the Texas-based organization’s executive director, Maroulis works towards fulfilling their mission of supporting, aiding and honoring disabled veterans and first responders as they set, meet and exceed their fitness goals.
“We have everything from dads who want to learn how to ride their bikes again to moms who want to take on Ironman races,” Maroulis explains. “There is a mental component to first responders and wounded warriors that I enjoy helping as well. There is no goal or injury too small or too big. We can find a way to help. We have sport-specific coaches and mentors that help guide the veteran throughout the process.”
Speaking from their Austin headquarters, Maroulis said they “try to concentrate our efforts here. That being said, we seem to be growing and have partners popping up throughout the country. We are starting to offer more to other states.”
Maroulis said they intend to create a team of veterans for the May, 2014 Face of America ride, the annual Washington to Gettysburg ride from World T.E.A.M. Sports.
For persons with disabilities who are considering becoming active in sporting activities, Maroulis advises to “just do it.”
“It is so easy for us to stay in our heads about stuff,” she said. “I know it was hard for me to be in unfamiliar areas. It caused me a lot of anxiety. I was always self-conscious of my Traumatic Brain Injury and just wanted to stick to myself so I felt like I had some control. But at the end of the day, sports saved me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to grow as a person.”
Richard Rhinehart, World T.E.A.M. Sports, http://worldteamsports.org/, 855-987-8326 Ext: 4, [email protected]
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