They’ve run tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and everywhere in between. Most have been through physical hell and back, sacrificing limbs, memories and health for the stars and stripes. But on Tuesday, they were just energetic men and women enjoying the amenities of the John Wooden Center and the programs offered to them by UCLA Adaptive Recreation.
About 50 American soldiers, each of whom had suffered some malady while fighting for the country, participated in a variety of activities hosted by UCLA in conjunction with the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization founded by U.S. military personnel to assist veterans in rehab.
“We see this program as a great opportunity to assist those who have been hurt in the line of duty,” Sgt. Harold Smith, one of the event’s primary organizers, said. “It’s important that these individuals have a way to maintain their fitness levels and have some fun while they’re at it.”
Throughout the afternoon, soldiers participated in wheelchair basketball, rock climbing and table tennis in the Wooden Center. Many appreciated the facilities and physical activities, although some were left second-guessing their decisions to push themselves.
“I probably shouldn’t have done all that, my shoulder hurts a bit now,” Staff Sgt. Jonathan Ellis said with a chuckle after completing the rock wall.
Ellis, who suffered an aneurysm in his shoulder that required surgery during a tour of duty, lauded the program as an excellent source of transition and rehabilitation.
Smith bears a scar that is a constant reminder what he calls “the most painful day of (his) life.” This was a day in April 2007 when he dislocated his knee and ripped out most the cartilage. These days, Smith is scaling boulders and wheeling up and down the court, undaunted by his disability, and he and his peers enjoy every minute of it.
“We’re so grateful for the facilities and the opportunities that we have here,” he said. “This is a cause that is really important to us, and we are already reaping the benefits.”
Adaptive Rec plays the gracious host
Despite the logistics required on the part of UCLA Adaptive Recreation to host the event, the coordination between the department and the Wounded Warrior Project has not exactly been in the works for a long-term period.
“Everything came about last week, it was kind of a quick relationship that just occurred,” UCLA Adaptive Recreation Coordinator Jamie Hoffman said. “We thought we’d give them the opportunity to participate in some various sports, and it gives them an opportunity to see that competitive sports for the disabled are available at the international level as well as at the local level.”
Due to the late hour of the event’s planning, the UCLA Recreation staff did not have a clear idea of exactly how many soldiers they would be hosting, what kind of physical limitations or ailments those who participated would be suffering from and how adept they would be at the various sports that the department was offering.
“We were told that we were going to have a bunch of active warriors who were going to come to our center,” Hoffman said. “It was like Christmas! I was going to open up this present, and surprise! They were all going to be here, and it was exciting that we were able to provide opportunities for everybody.”
Bruins show up to serve
With so many participants, the Wooden Center and the Adaptive Recreation program relied on the work of a number of UCLA student volunteers, many of whom had personal ties to the event and what it represented.
First-year student Matthew Golembeski, who suffers from a disability of his own, has played wheelchair basketball since high school and was enthusiastic about coming out to play with the soldiers. Golembeski shared a unique perspective on what it means for veterans with disabilities to stay physically active.
“Being disabled doesn’t mean that you can’t have the same kind of experience that your peers can,” he said. “It’s not the end of the road, there are a lot of opportunities out there. If you’re willing to dedicate yourself after getting hurt, you can be successful both on the court and off.”
While Golembeski was enthusiastic about the opportunity to engage the veterans in his favorite sport, fifth-year biology student Ariel Congdon was drawn to volunteering at the event for a more personal reason.
“I’m from a military background: My dad, my brother and my fiancee are all in the service,” Congdon said. “It’s just really cool to give back to them in whatever way. They do so much for us, and it’s great to know some of these guys and their stories.”
Congdon and Golembeski have both been involved with UCLA Adaptive Recreation in the past, but fourth-year political science student Kyle Lewis showed up to volunteer for a totally different reason: As an ROTC participant, Lewis is aware that he could be in a similar situation in the not-too-distant future and thus cherishes the opportunity to work with some of his potential future colleagues.
“I can just connect with them,” Lewis said. “That could easily be me someday, so I’m just out there to help them any way I can.”
“These guys have given a lot,” he added. “They’ve all paid a sacrifice in some way or another. To be able to do this kind of thing for them, it’s just special.”