Several U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton, California, have suited up and landed on the shores of West Point, New York, to compete against other wounded service members in the 2014 U.S. Army Warrior Trials, June 15-19.
Lance. Cpl. Darrius Doster, U.S. Marines, Camp Pendleton, California, is using adaptive sports to help him battle and overcome injuries he sustained while training in the well-known Marine Corps Warfare Training Center in the cold mountains of Bridgeport, California.
Over a year ago, Doster was perfecting his battle skills when the temperatures dropped below freezing in the area he was training in. Unfortunately, his fingers and toes suffered from severe frostbite with long term effects. Since then the road to recovery has been challenging for Doster.
"It has been a long struggle but with the support of fellow marines, family and friends, I have found a way to recover while participating in sports." said Doster. Through adaptive sports, wounded service members were given the opportunity to recover from their injuries by participating in the 2014 U.S. Army Warrior Trials hosted by the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command at the U.S. Army Military Academy, West Point, New York.
"The warrior trials is giving me an opportunity to vent my competitive nature onto the track. I want to better myself by competing against other talented service members." he said. Doster isn't alone in the recovery process.
Over 160 wounded, ill, and injured service members are in search for a better quality of life and this competition will help them focus on contributing to the success of their physical and mental capabilities.
The adaptive sporting events that are contributing to the recovery process include running, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and cycling to name a few. Doster is training in the track event to help improve his running ability.
The Department of Defense and military have taken a proactive approach in ensuring that wounded warriors are engaging in all aspects of human performance, recovery, and reconditioning. To ensure that these goals are met, athletic professionals, massage therapists and coaches have been involved in accomplishing this task for over four years since the inaugural of the U.S. Army Warrior Trials.
"Having the ability to learn from athletic professionals is an experience in itself." said Doster.
The emphasis of adaptive sports and reconditioning for Doster resides in the ability to maintain physical fitness. "I came here to better myself and sustain my goals." he said. For some wounded warriors like Doster it is more than receiving a gold, bronze, or silver medal.
It is a culmination of camaraderie, competition and a step in adaptive reconditioning. "Competing against other service members keeps me going in a positive direction towards my recovery and that is reward enough for me."
The shores of West Point, New York will be occupied by the U.S. Marines until June 19 where the final competitors will receive their medals and move onto the 2014 Warrior Games being held in Colorado.
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