Sports Have Transformative Effect on Wounded Warrior, Family

PT. HUENEME, Calif. (NNS) -- Twelve Navy wounded warriors are attending an adaptive athletics clinic that kicks off Sept. 14 at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) - Pt. Hueneme, Calif.

Retired Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Joseph Derbak is among the service members participating in the clinic, which is sponsored by Navy Safe Harbor, the Navy and Coast Guard's wounded warrior support program.

A 2012 Warrior Games competitor, Derbak's personal motto is "to keep moving forward."

During the clinic, which takes place Sept. 14 - 16, wounded warriors are exposed to various adapted sports, including archery, cycling, kayaking, shooting, sitting volleyball, and surfing. The clinic coincides with the 2012 Wounded Warrior Half Marathon, 5K, and Military Mile taking place Sept. 15 at NBVC Point Mugu. Six of the wounded warriors, including Derbak, will compete in race-day events.

Derbak and his family credit adaptive athletics for dramatically improving his outlook on life.

After two difficult combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan - where he was subjected to several blasts - Derbak was diagnosed in 2009 with a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. He also suffered injuries to his back and legs, which resulted in surgery and confined him to a wheelchair.

"It was pretty hard [when he returned from deployment] because he didn't want to talk about anything," said his wife, Colleen Derbak, who has Multiple Sclerosis and grapples with her own health concerns. "He was very quiet, and my husband is not a quiet person. Everything had built up, and he wouldn't let it out; he was very angry. He spent time with our daughters and me, but he didn't enjoy it. He was trying to help himself and trying to help me, but he was struggling."

After attending Navy Safe Harbor's January 2012 adaptive athletics clinic at NBVC - where he enjoyed handcycling and interacted with other wounded warriors - Joseph Derbak returned home with a positive attitude and a smile on his face.

"He was so happy and excited, and he hadn't been that way since returning from Afghanistan," said Colleen Derbak. "He said he had met cool people who know what it's like in his shoes, and who really put into perspective how lucky he was. I went years without seeing him smile, and now he is full of life and playing with our kids."

Navy Safe Harbor's adaptive athletics coordinator, Lt. j.g. Megan Haydel says sports have a positive and lasting effect on many wounded warriors.

"Adaptive athletics heals wounded warriors' bodies - helping them stay strong and active - but it also heals their minds and spirits," said Haydel. "Through sports they can prove, to themselves and to their families, that they can conquer any barrier to success. Joe has shown tremendous improvement during the past year, and he has had a very positive influence on his teammates. His commitment during the 2012 Warrior Games was so evident that he was named one of Team Navy/Coast Guard's Warriors of the Day."

Navy Safe Harbor connected Joseph Derbak with a non-governmental organization, Hope for the Warriors, which provided him with a handcycle for training at home. Colleen Derbak says he enjoyed a bike ride with his daughters shortly after receiving the equipment, and he was emotional when he returned home after the ride. He told her that he hadn't been sure he'd be able to ride bicycles with his girls ever again.

At the 2012 Warrior Games - an annual competition between wounded warriors from all branches of service - Joseph Derbak participated in a handcycle race, as well as seated discus and shotput events. His family was able to travel to the Games with him, where they cheered enthusiastically for Team Navy/Coast Guard from the sidelines.

"It was good for the girls to see their father working so hard for something," said Colleen Derbak. "It just mattered that he got out there; it didn't matter if he got a medal. He crashed his cycle before the competition, and he had all these bandages, but he still got out there."

Joseph Derbak retired from the Navy July 28, and, since then, he has enjoyed time with his family and focused on training. Inspired by her husband and his Warrior Games teammates, Colleen Derbak also has adopted a new work-out regimen. The family hopes to find and settle in a new home base in the coming year, and the future looks bright.

"Joe is spending a lot of time with the girls, and we are doing things together as a family right now," said Colleen Derbak. "We don't know what will happen next - other than moving to a new home - but we are up for anything. We'll see what the world has in store for us."

Navy Safe Harbor supports more than 1,800 seriously wounded, ill, and injured Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, as well as their families. The program is a key component of the Department of the Navy's 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative, which is designed to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency, and hone the most combat-effective force.

To learn more about Navy Safe Harbor - including its adaptive athletic reconditioning program - visit http://safeharbor.navylive.dodlive.mil, call 877-746-8563, or email safeharbor@navy.mil.

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.