Veteran credits adaptive sports for new inspiration and goals

By Annette Coward, Warrior Transition CommandMarch 8, 2016

Army Trials at Fort Bliss
U.S. Army veteran Staff Sergeant David Heaton, Demopolis, Ala., prepares to fire during shooting practice at Milam Gym, Fort Bliss, Texas, March 4. More than 100 wounded, ill and injured Soldiers and veterans are at Fort Bliss to train and compete in... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BLISS, Texas -- U.S. Army veteran Staff Sgt. David Heaton is hoping to cross competing in the Department of Defense Warrior Games 2016 off his list of goals. Heaton is making his first appearance at this year's Army Trials where he will compete in wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, archery and shooting.

After five years in the Army with the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and as a military policeman at Fort Eustis, Virginia, Heaton received an honorable discharge in 2001. He returned to his hometown of Demopolis, Alabama where he decided to follow his father's footsteps into law enforcement and become a patrolman and K-9 officer. In March 2007, Heaton enlisted into the Alabama National Guard as an infantryman. Two months later he deployed to Iraq with the 167th Infantry Regiment. As a team leader and truck commander, he conducted convoy security and was exposed to multiple improvised explosive device blasts and small arms fire. He redeployed in June 2008.

It was here in the United States where he suffered a traumatic brain injury.

"I was involved in a motorcycle accident that caused a major traumatic brain injury. I had eight places on my brain that were bleeding," he said. "I fractured my C-4, C-5 and C-6 [vertebrae] in my neck. Immediately following the accident I had open heart surgery and was placed on life support for three weeks."

After many personal and medical issues, Heaton was assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Benning, Georgia to recover.

"There are some drawbacks of course, particularly my short term memory, however I relied on the staff to help with my cognitive skills," he said. During his recovery, Heaton was introduced to adaptive reconditioning and says his memory is quite sharp when it comes to adaptive sports. Adaptive reconditioning includes activities and sports that wounded, ill and injured Soldiers participate in regularly to strengthen their physical, cognitive and emotional well-being.

Heaton says it has played a crucial role in his recovery.

"I really believe adaptive sports really saved my life," he said. "Take for instance archery or sitting volleyball. Archery calms my anxiety and there's so much precision, concentration and focus. I would love to teach children about archery and sportsmanship. With sitting volleyball, it's about agility, teamwork, problem solving."

Heaton says he would never allow his injuries to sideline his pursuits or passion. Off the field, the infantryman is looking forward to furthering his education and ultimately becoming a prosecutor.

"The whole healing process inspired me to reach for new goals and new heights. Pursuing law is a passion I will definitely undertake. I want to focus on veterans, mental illness and issues that they are faced with," Heaton said. "If there's one thing I know, it's that if I can come back from all I've been through, then anyone can overcome the slightest or worst setback in their lives. I'm still learning, but I will not quit or give up. I have realized that there is a plan for me and my destiny is my choice and all I have to do is to try."

The Army trials are being held at Fort Bliss, March 6--March 10. More than 100 wounded, ill and injured Soldiers and veterans are competing for a spot on Team Army. The Department of Defense Warrior Games will be held at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, June 14-22.