Fort Bliss, Texas (April 4, 2017) -- Spc. Jay Marquiss, from the Fort Carson Warrior Transition Unit, is competing at the Warrior Care and Transition 2017 Army Trials at Fort Bliss, Texas, and hoping to get selected for the Army Team.
Describing the Army Trials he stated, "That's what I love about [Army adaptive sports], you have this chance to do all these different things even though you have limitations."
"If it wasn't for this, I wouldn't have had the chance to compete, to realize the things I am good at, and discover activities that I can continue doing for the rest of my life."
Marquiss has Type 2 diabetes and the doctors have told him that he will most likely develop Type 1 diabetes and will be medically retired soon. Type 2 diabetes is a condition that affects the way the body processes glucose and Type 1 diabetes is when the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
"It's something that happens in life, you can either dwell on your illness or you can accept what happened and make the best of what you have. I like to look for positives," said Marquiss.
Marquiss realizes that his illness is different than some of the other Soldiers who were injured but likes that the Army Adaptive Sports program allows him to compete in different categories against others with similar abilities.
"Swimming is my main sport; I have been swimming my entire life. I was on the swim team when I was younger and did competitions. I haven't competed since school but I have been swimming when I can. I love doing it for cardio," said Marquiss.
At the Fort Carson WTU he participates in other activities such as horseback riding, archery, shooting, kayaking, and water polo. Adaptive Water polo uses flotation devices to make it accessible for those who have restricted use of their legs.
Marquiss said that the Army Trials have proven to be, "really competitive and everyone is really friendly. Everyone is here for each other, here to make each other better, and make the army team."
"Do it! Even if you don't think you'll be good at it, try it. I would have never considered archery but apparently I am fairly good at it. Archery is what first brought me here and along the way I found out there was swimming," said Marquiss.
"Coming out here and meeting all these wonderful people, it's one big family out here, supporting each other. It helps support morale and it's just great to see everybody happy."
Marquiss is looking to the future, he plans to return to school and get a degree in computer sciences and minor in photography as well as continue to compete. He wants to make the Army Team for the Warrior Games and to compete in the Invictus Games.
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