Rebuilding through Recreation

1. Rebuilding through Recreation

2. September 11th, 2001

3. Questions to think about� Where were you on September 11, 2001 @ 8:46 AM (EST)? Was anyone you knew/related to touched by this act of terrorism? If so, who and how?

4. Major issues/injuries associated with soldiers returning from war Loss of limbs Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) -Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

5. Mild traumatic brain injury Often described as �shell shock� or �getting your bell rung� Most common type of traumatic brain injuries Makes up 75% of all brain injuries Acquired by exposure to a blast from improvised explosive devices As much as 20% of soldiers have had a MTBI

6. Symptoms Physical: headaches, dizziness, poor concentration, fatigue, noise/light tolerance, insomnia Cognitive: memory complaints, poor concentration Emotional: depression, anxiety, irritability, increased aggression, mood liability

7. Posttraumatic stress disorder One of several psychiatric disorders Characterized by re-experiencing of an extremely traumatic event Nightmares, intrusive thoughts of the incident Co- occurs with MTBI Increase from 13% to 84% of soldiers who have both PTSD and MTBI

8. Common Symptoms Flashback episodes where the event seems to be happening again Feelings of detachment and having no future Lack of interest in normal activities Staying away from places, objects, people, etc that remind you of the event Outbursts of anger

9. Questions to consider.. What is being done to support/ease these veterans back into society? What is not being done? Are you aware of any special programs in your hometown that cater to the physical/psychological needs of veterans within the past 10 years? What other issues do you think are caused because of these disorders?

10. This is a very good look at Canadian fatalities which you can see has increased up to 2008.This is a very good look at Canadian fatalities which you can see has increased up to 2008.

11. This is more current considering fatalities from Afghanistan up to April 2010This is more current considering fatalities from Afghanistan up to April 2010

12. Stories from their point of view

13. Article: �Military sees increase in wounded in Afghanistan�� Some veterans have to fight off diseases that they catch in Iraq Retired Lt. Col. Kurt Kosmatka �Feels bad for those who are wounded and don�t have strong family connections.� While in Iraq in 2007 Kurt obtained a disease that weakens the immune system, leaving him with respiratory problems While in Iraq in 2007 Kurt obtained a disease that weakens the immune system, leaving him with respiratory problems

14. Wounded Soldiers Vince Short- Army Specialist Victim of roadside bomb attack in Iraq in 2003 �I cry out for them. It�s tough. It�s hard to put in words.� �I used to have a career. I used to have a good solid marriage. I was doing really good, and now look at me� ("Military sees increase," 2009) Spinal injury-have increased significantly because of powerful explosives used in improvised bombs that rattle troops inside heavy armored vehicles. He is in a good place thanks to therapy Now divorcedSpinal injury-have increased significantly because of powerful explosives used in improvised bombs that rattle troops inside heavy armored vehicles. He is in a good place thanks to therapy Now divorced

15. A glimpse of what you don�t hear about� �When you join the army, they send your picture to your hometown paper because they want everybody to know your leaving for the military, but if you�re wounded, the military doesn�t tell them, because they might be worried about the public getting negative about what�s going on over there.� (Thompson, 2003) Read story about the three men Wyatt, Castro, and Meinen Soldiers have a better chance of surviving the war and getting back home with wounds then any other soldiers in history Read story about the three men Wyatt, Castro, and Meinen Soldiers have a better chance of surviving the war and getting back home with wounds then any other soldiers in history

16. They still want to go back! 6 wounded soldiers All amputees Returned to Iraq after a year and a half of rehab and physical therapy �Operation Exit� Sponsored by the Army Goal: Give soldiers the opportunity for closure and to see the progress made in securing and stabilizing the country. (�Wounded Warriors Return to Iraq,� 2010) Operation exit- allows soldiers wounded in combat to return to IraqOperation exit- allows soldiers wounded in combat to return to Iraq

17. Questions What can Recreation Services do for military veterans who are wounded? How can we better market programs for injured soldiers? Why should Recreation Services offer programs for injured soldiers?

18. Activities Wheelchair simulation Robot Wars Mark an area of about 10m by 10m on grass with string or hazard tape. Randomly spread out 30 paper balls. (A sheet of a4 scrumpled up into a ball works well.) Group members are paired up. One is the Robot and the other is the Director. The Robot is blindfolded and is in the zone, the Director is sighted and stands just outside the zone. You could have up to four Robots in the zone at any one time thought it works well with just two. To score points the Director directs the Robot to the balls of paper (walking only, no running). They pick these up and then are directed to throw them (underarm only) at the other Robots. If they hit then the pair gets a point. Each game can last 5 minutes. The pair with the most points wins. Experience says that you need a referee to keep score and to ensure that balls are thrown gently and robots move slowly for safety purposes. Have fun.

19. Now what can you do?

20. Why should Recreation Services offer programs for injured soldiers?

21. Recreation Opportunities for Wounded Soldiers Free overnight stays for� active duty military personnel wounded veterans other people with disabilities children with cancer and life threatening diseases Outdoor Dream Foundation U.S. Forest Service S.C Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Lake Murray Deer Hunt (2007) Local restaurants, businesses, organizations, and individuals volunteer for these events He worked with people with mental and physical challenges for 4 years Outdoor Dream Foundation arranges outdoor activities for children treated at the 3 cancer hospitals in South Carolina Hunting and fishing on the lake-large mouth and striper fishing Deer Hunt-17 participants with mobility impairments, 5 were severely wounded vietnam and Iraq veterans and 23 soldiers from the SCDNR Many veterans come with wheelchairs Each hunt honors soldiers who gave their life in Iraq They have 8 more deer hunts planned for the future This lodge should be self supported in the next 2 years with the way everything has gone thus far. He worked with people with mental and physical challenges for 4 years Outdoor Dream Foundation arranges outdoor activities for children treated at the 3 cancer hospitals in South Carolina Hunting and fishing on the lake-large mouth and striper fishing Deer Hunt-17 participants with mobility impairments, 5 were severely wounded vietnam and Iraq veterans and 23 soldiers from the SCDNR Many veterans come with wheelchairs Each hunt honors soldiers who gave their life in Iraq They have 8 more deer hunts planned for the future This lodge should be self supported in the next 2 years with the way everything has gone thus far.

22. More Recreation Opportunities for Wounded Soldiers 180 wounded, injured, and ill military service members and veterans gathered for this event U.S Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs Their mission: �To compete to their utmost ability, represent the highest values of the military and attain their highest level of physical and mental recover� Benefits: improving participant�s self-esteeem and enhancing their self-image, and increasing the espirit de corps of their respective branches and warrior transition units (explain) Benefits: improving participant�s self-esteeem and enhancing their self-image, and increasing the espirit de corps of their respective branches and warrior transition units (explain)

23. Athletes competed in 4 teams, 1 for each branch of the US military: Army, Marines, Air Force, and Navy/Coast Guard One person from each team handed off the torch to light the Warrior Games flame at the top of the Olympic Hall of Fame The final torch bearer was a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, naval academy graduate and vietnam veteran Roger Staubach Paralympic mentorsAthletes competed in 4 teams, 1 for each branch of the US military: Army, Marines, Air Force, and Navy/Coast Guard One person from each team handed off the torch to light the Warrior Games flame at the top of the Olympic Hall of Fame The final torch bearer was a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, naval academy graduate and vietnam veteran Roger Staubach Paralympic mentors

24. More Recreation Opportunities for Wounded Soldiers October 8th, 2009 Fort Bragg, North Carolina 20 mile ride �Soldier Ride� �it�s all about the camaraderie, which is what military is all about� �Whether you�re a wounded warrior or a wounded warrior supporter, it�s a great day and a great chance to work together for a common cause.� This is a program of the Wounded Warrior Project that provides rehavilitation opportunities to injured soldiers and raises public�s awareness of those who have been severly injured during military operationsThis is a program of the Wounded Warrior Project that provides rehavilitation opportunities to injured soldiers and raises public�s awareness of those who have been severly injured during military operations

25. What can Recreation Services do for military veterans who are wounded? Make facilities easily accessible for the disabled Offer recreational programs for the disabled Offer memberships at a discount for these wounded warriors

26. Why should Recreation Services offer programs for injured soldiers? To raise the awareness & enlist the public�s aid for the needs of severely injured service men & women. To help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and To provide unique direct programs & services to meet the needs of severely injured service members

27. Existing Programs Paralympic Military Sports Program Paralympic Military Sports Camps are�multi-day events for veterans and military personnel with physical�injuries that�aim to introduce individuals to a variety of summer and winter sport opportunities.� During each camp, participants attend sports clinics conducted by Paralympic athletes and coaches.� All service members attend the camp at no cost.� Expenses related to travel, lodging and meals are covered by the USOC (United States Olympic Committee). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7SS-nsmAAs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzL6VIheJps

28. Existing Programs Wounded Warrior Project In 2003 WWP was founded in Roanoke, Virginia by a group of veterans and friends who took action to help the injured service men and women of this generation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeg389PN3_U

29. How can we better market programs for injured soldiers? Spread the word Corporate Sponsorship The Wounded Warrior Project teamed up with Under Armour to help raise awareness and money for the injured soldiers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9W9RpiHHOU

30. References Thompson, M. (2003, November 10). The Wounded come home. Time, 162(19), 32-40. Military sees increase in wounded in afghanistan;scope of injuires considered this veterans day. (2009, November 11). The Associated Press. Wounded Warriors Return to Iraq. Military Medicine [serial online]. October 2, 2009;:2-3. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed September 7, 2010. The "Freedom Isn't Free" Lodge. PN [serial online]. December 2009;63(12):52-53. Available from: SPORTDiscus, Ipswich, MA. Accessed September 7, 2010. Warrior Games. PN [serial online]. August 2010;64(8):40-42. Available from: SPORTDiscus, Ipswich, MA. Accessed September 7, 2010. Rimel, R. W., Giordani, B., Barth, J. T, Boll, T. J., & Jane, J. A. (1981). Disability caused by minor head injury. Neurosurgery, 9, 221-228. Lew, H. L., Poole, J. H., Alvarez, S., & Moore, W. (2005). Soldiers with occult traumatic brain injury. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 84, 393-398.