Running the Race With America’s Veterans
By beckygarrison | January 18, 2012 at 6:29 am
The sight of soldiers returning to the United States from Iraq serves as a reminder of a painful reality. Thanks to advances with medical treatment facilities close to the battlefield, the ratio of those who survive despite serious wounds compared with fatal casualties is higher than in previous wars.
For those vets facing the major life challenge of losing a limb, the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Vets seeks to help them achieve their goal of being fit and competitive while providing the camaraderie that helps veterans heal both mentally and physically. To date, this rehabilitation program founded in 2004 by Achilles International has sponsored and trained more than 1,000 vets from Afghanistan and Iraq with combat-related injuries so they can participate in national racing events.
This outreach to veterans is part of Achilles International, an organization founded in 1976 by Dick Traum, who was the first amputee to compete in the New York City marathon. Currently, Achilles has chapters and members in 72 different countries, as it continues to break barriers and act on behalf of people with disabilities so they can be included in races.
Currently the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Vets participates in about 16 races a year including the LA Marathon, Boston Marathon and the ING NYC Marathon. As they have limited slots, they rotate the teams, though each vet and their family will have the opportunity to participate in one or two races each year. These fully funded wellness trips are offered at no cost to the veterans.
Interested volunteers can go to its website and check out its current marathon tour. Among the ways people can lend their time and talents include:
- Be a guide to an athlete running in the race
- Help pick up veterans and their families at the airport
- Provide a meal for the team
- Assist with getting hand cycles in and out of vehicles
- Endow a hand cycle that will be donated to the program (cost $3,500)
- Consider having one’s company serve as a local sponsor
According to the director of Achilles Freedom Team, Genna Griffith, they remain committed to this program as a lifelong venture. So these wounded veterans will have this competitive outlet that will enable them to continue the healing process by connecting with their friends and participating in the races.
For those looking for other ways to help veterans, Great Nonprofits recently ran a campaign to obtain reviews of military charities. Also, Charity Navigator offers a list of military related charities.
