If you give me an opportunity.

FALLS CHURCH, Va.- Army Reservist Capt. Carlos Rivera is sitting on go, waiting to compete on Team Army at the 2025 Department of Defense Warrior Games, July 18- 26 in Colorado Springs. “I love the fact that my sports are not over. I'm not going to be watching from the couch. I know I can do something if you give me an opportunity,” said the behavioral health nurse.

Rivera had an SI (sacroiliac) joint injury to his lower back last year and arrived at the Fort Cavazos Soldier Recovery Unit in November 2024. He embraced adaptive sports at the SRU to ensure he stayed off that couch. He learned very quickly from his coaches that he had to do things differently. “They push you even though you have a limitation, but in a safe way. Also, they don’t want you to let your injury or illness be your excuse. They are teaching me how to adapt and improve myself.”

The former professional volleyball player is improving himself in field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair basketball. He says showing the desire to grow and conquer helps his recovery, too. “I know I have my limitations, but even in wheelchair basketball or wheelchair rugby, the coach will see my willingness to grow and give me the opportunity to compete with the team.”

The married father of four sees a keen difference in his attitude in the past year, thanks to the SRU and adaptive sports. “In the beginning, I thought if I had to have surgery, I would retire and not do anything else, but now I want to continue. They brought the fire back in me, and now I am on Team Army,” said Rivera, who is continuing therapy but is still possibly facing surgery ahead.

The opportunity to heal through adaptive sports has been a game changer for Rivera, and so has the opportunity to connect with like-minded Soldiers who continue to support each other through thick and thin. “Every day, I see in our group chat everyone helping each other, even the Soldiers who didn’t make the team who were at Army Trials chime in and ask, ‘Hey, how are you and what are you doing today? Are you feeling ok today? Are you still practicing?’ They are still helping by supporting the team this way. We are all one team.”

Rivera unabashedly shares his see-an-opportunity-and-take-an-opportunity approach to life with other Soldiers. “We had a job, and it’s an important job that we were doing, but we also have a life to get back to. If you are wounded, ill, or injured, take the opportunity to participate in these programs within ARCP. All of this is giving us more opportunity to be better.”