Finding out what you CAN do
By MaryTherese Griffin, Warrior Care and Transition
ARLINGTON, Va. - After three deployments over six years, Staff Sgt. Shawn Runnells found himself managing injuries to his knee and shoulder. The M-1 Armor Crewman was assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Riley, Kansas to recover and get himself healthy again. Runnels didn't know much about the WTB, but quickly realized its benefits and gives praise to the WTB for helping him see beyond first impressions with his new limitations.
"The WTB adaptive reconditioning program helped me figure out that I am able to do things I didn't know I could with my injuries," said Runnells.
Runnells not only figured out he could do things, but he figured out he could do those things pretty well. He picked up adaptive sports and earned himself a spot on Team Army to participate in the 2018 Department of Defense Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Runnels, who aspires to be an aviation mechanic, obtain his pilot's license and his own plane someday, credits the WTB with helping him more than just recover physically.
"The WTB helped me improve my communication with other people," Runnells said. "I intern with my AR team and help them schedule things and help others participate in different activities."
Runnells will be competing for Team Army in wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, field, and track June 1 - 9 at the DoD Warrior Games.
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