About forever ago, I received a tweet from Team Red, White, & Blue, asking me to be an athlete for their organization. It surprised me as I was completely unfamiliar with the program, but thanks to the interwebs, I was able to figure the details out pretty quickly.
In short? Team RWB is perfect for me!
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Per their website, Team RWB is an organization that aims to “transform the way wounded veterans are reintegrated into society when they return from combat and exit their position.” As one would imagine, Team RWB believes that strong relationships between wounded vets and individuals in society are a critical element to make the transition back into civilian life as smooth as possible.
I have some dear family members that are in the military and spend more of the calendar year overseas than they do stateside. They selflessly miss holidays and family events to protect and defend our country. I’m definitely not going all political on this one, but I think the job that these men and women do is completely invaluable.
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| Ignore the face 🙂 |
Fortunately, none of my family members or friends have been severely injured while serving in the military. However, through my volunteer work teaching adaptive skiing in the winter, I have seen plenty of individuals who have. My educational focus and background is on outdoor education for special needs populations, and this often includes wounded war vets who have returned stateside and are trying to re-learn their favorite hobbies. Some of these men and women are suffering from mental trauma as a result of things they have seen while others are learning to function without the use of limbs.
I often wonder and admire at the courage of these individuals. It’s difficult and terrifying to attack and learn new hobbies on a normal day, but I cannot imagine learning to do all of these things with a new body in tow. Their determination impresses me daily, and I am thrilled to be able to represent an organization that recognizes such inspiring people.
I am proud to “wear the eagle” at my coming races, and I look forward to sharing more with people I meet. I think that it’s the least that I can do!
12 Comments
This sounds awesome! Congrats! My brother is in the Marines! (:
My cousin is in the Special Forces and spends lots of time away from his family. I can only imagine how tough it is on all of them so I’m glad to be able to support in whatever little way that I can.
That sounds like a great organization! Congratulations!
PS I love the face. You look intent on taking the perfect pic!
I always look so ridiculous taking self pics…I’ve given up on them EVER being flattering 🙂
Cool organization! Way to give support….
That is such a wonderful organization!! Good for you!!! Keep on sweatin! Spa love!
Congratulations! Sounds like a wonderful organization 🙂
I volunteered for the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games for Track and Field. It was so amazing to see the athletes compete.
What an awesome experience that would! I’d love to do something similar!!!
That is so neat! I think you will be a great person for their team. I have never heard of them before but I like the shirt you have to sport for them.
That’s great! Congratulations!
I haven’t but as a sign language interpreter I do work with Deaf athletes occasionally.
So glad you decided to join in! One more thing we have in common 😉
Such a great group to run for! I’d love to run for them some day.