| Justin Obermeyer Teaches Wounded Warriors How to Play Wheelchair Basketball |
 |
 |
 |
| Monday, September 28 2009 15:16 |
|
On Friday September 25, 2009, The Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs hosted Fort Carson’s kickoff event for their Paralympics sport program. Over 100 service members were able to learn the basics and participate in shooting, swimming, wheelchair basketball, Strength & Conditioning and cycling. The participating servicemen were part of Warrior Transition Units (WTUs). U.S. Paralympics is working in collaboration with leadership from the United States Army Warrior Transition Units (WTU) to develop adaptive sports and fitness programs for injured personnel serving in these units. Ongoing programs are designed to enhance a service member's rehabilitation, improve their physical fitness and generally improve their quality of life. Additionally, the programs utilize a "train-the-trainers" model to teach local leaders and cadre members to implement ongoing activities and communicate a variety of opportunities to injured service members and their families.The NWBA's own Justin Obermeyer from the Denver Rolling Nuggets was there to teach and lead the groups during their wheelchair basketball session.
The Wounded Warriors were excited and surprised by the sport of wheelchair basketball. Many mentioned how tired they were after only a few minutes of playing time and how the sport is so much harder than it looks. One injured soldier said, "None of us guys here are actually in a wheelchair, so even if you're good at basketball, sitting down while playing makes you lose all your perspective." Another participant chimed in saying, "yeah, I definitely have a whole new appreciation for wheelchair basketball players, I thought I was strong." The NWBA is proud of Justin and his involvement in this program as well as his activity with the NWBA as a whole. |
