Warrior CARE program provides new opportunities to wounded veterans

By Spc. Adeline WitherspoonAugust 4, 2016

Wheelchair racing at Warrior CARE event
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Retired Air Force Staff Sgt. Velette Webb tries wheelchair racing for the first time during the Warrior CARE event hosted by the U.S. Air Force Wounded Warrior Program at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Aug. 2. The event is designed to introduce inj... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Archery at Warrior CARE event
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Retired Air Force Staff Sgt. Velette Webb tries archery for the first time during the Warrior CARE event hosted by the U.S. Air Force Wounded Warrior Program at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Aug. 2. Participants are able to try out different sport... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

It was her first time mountain biking. Air Force Staff Sgt. Velette Webb set out that day in Leadville, Col., not knowing that a split-second decision would change her life forever.

"I went down a hill that was a little too steep, and I went over my handle bars," said Webb. "I hit my head and then tumbled about 80 feet down the mountain and broke quite a few bones."

"Quite a few bones," turned out to be massive head injuries and a shattered vertebra that would leave Webb paralyzed from the waist down.

"Therapy was the most difficult part and getting out of bed the first time," said Webb. "It's completely different getting out of bed. It means something different now."

In cases such as Webb's, the majority of recovery occurs within the first six months after the injury. Any loss of function lasting longer than 12 months is likely to be permanent. This month marks the one-year anniversary of Webb's accident.

Through a recovery care coordinator, a caregiver whose job it is to help injured service members and their families with their recovery, Webb heard about the Warrior CARE event, hosted by the U.S. Air Force Wounded Warrior Program. The event is designed to introduce injured service members to the benefits of adaptive sports and to promote physical and mental wellbeing.

"There are many reason to get involved in this program, and the number one reason is that you meet people coming from all over the place that have experienced something very trying in their life, and regardless of what it is, the one thing we do all have in common is that we've all been through a trying experience, and we're trying to get through it," said Air Force Tech Sgt. Lara Mastel, event coach with the 59th Medical Support Squadron. "A lot of these people are brand new. They didn't know anybody like them, and they've never done anything like this ever."

Mastel herself is a breast cancer survivor and has competed in both the Warrior Games and last year's Invictus Games.

"It's so important to be able to lean on somebody and to be able to try something new," said Mastel. "You might find a sport that will become your new rehab tool, and that's what's going to get you through this."

Competitors are able to try out different sports such as swimming, marksmanship, archery and wheelchair racing, with the possibility of qualifying to compete in the Warrior Games.

"She was already in the pool this morning," said Mastel. "Today, she is also trying wheelchair racing and archery."

With an injury such as Webb's, it is difficult for her to maintain the upper body strength necessary to draw a bow in the archery competition. Already exhausted from wheelchair racing, Webb's frustration was obvious. She left the area and took a private moment outside to regain her composure before returning to try again.

"It gets easier; it's always going to suck a little bit, but it's never going to be impossible," said Webb. "You can do it. My joke is: you just got to put one foot in front of the other. I'd say that, if I could still do it."

Webb, who retired from the Air Force just last week, dyed her hair cotton candy pink in celebration.

"Competing in the games is something I hope to work up to," said Webb. "These games give people like me and those wounded in combat a reason to get out of bed. It shows us that we can keep going it shows us that we still have family, and there's still camaraderie, and there's still people there for you that care, and that's the most important thing: knowing there's someone who cares. I definitely want to compete in the future -- with my pink hair, of course."

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