CHICAGO - Sgt. 1st Class Earl Ohlinger has his own private cheering squad. His wife Vivian and their four children traveled from Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia to attend the 2017 DOD Warrior Games.
The Games are an adaptive sports competition for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans. Approximately 265 athletes representing teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations Command, United Kingdom Armed Forces, and the Australian Defence Force are competing in archery, cycling, track, field, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, and wheelchair basketball.
"I really don't think I understood the magnitude of the games until my family arrived. It's just so exciting and the energy in the room is electric," said Vivian Ohlinger.
Sgt. 1st Class Earl Ohlinger suffered a lower back injury during a deployment mission in Afghanistan. An avid sports enthusiast, adaptive reconditioning sports played a major role in his recovery. He is a first time participant in this year's games.
"I would say the sports program definitely brought him out of his shell. I feel as if he became more alive and active. We're so proud of him," she explained.
Vivian says her husband's injury taught her the most important lesson of all.
"Earl and our family are very blessed. There are so many Soldiers that have suffered many injuries more severe than his, but they continue to thrive and I think it's important that people know, no matter how dark it seems you can get back up," she said.
For now, she's hoping the adaptive reconditioning sports program continues to thrive as well.
"I think the program provides a spark for so many Soldiers and their families but what's more amazing is the adjustments that have been made to accommodate wounded Soldiers so they can have an active life," she said. "You have wheelchair basketball, cycling, sitting volleyball. I hope they expand the program. This program is a blessing."
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