Presenting the 2011 Warrior Games Wheelchair Basketball Champions

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games by on May 24, 2011 at 11:53 am {no comments}

By Patricia Sands, WTC Stratcom

The U.S. Army Warrior Games wheelchair basketball team won gold after defeating the Marines on Friday evening.

The score was 44 to 19, and what a game it was!

It was the clash of the Titans. The Army had to closely hold the Marines in the last half. They were putting on the pressure to turn the game, but the Army was on it. The Marines did not easily surrender the championship from last year. The Army team, under the guidance of coach Doug Garner, came together as a rolling force that could not be stopped. The team of ten wanted it and they got it. They made us proud last Friday night. It was a very rough game with many crashes and wheelchairs turned over. My jaw dropped at the speed and aggression that this game is played. Their skill and dexterity is tremendous and appears to be a full contact sport. The Army won, and they won with honor.

A Marine player’s fall on the court demonstrates the intensity during the Warrior Games wheelchair basketball championship game.

Winning. That phrase is often misused. Look at the folks in the photos on this blog. They were winners even before they rolled onto the court. There are no actors at the Warrior Games. The men and women are the real deal. They are Soldiers that gave of themselves and their bodies to be the frontline of defense for freedom. Even after becoming injured, they stood up to show us a whole new gear at the Warrior Games. They are the definition of integrity, resiliency, and determination. Yes, they have injuries, but they are not defined by them. They push the envelope to find new skills and new successes. That is winning.

Read the blogs about these folks, they are incredible and they are going places. I met each of the players, and many of their Family members, and I count them among my friends. They are outstanding. I am certain this is just the beginning for them and their success in many directions of their lives. Garner said he doesn’t just want them to win at basketball. He wants them to win at life—a balanced life. He hopes that all the coaching, goal setting, and connections keep in the forefront of their minds and carry over to all aspects of their lives. The Army is committed to their success.

In conclusion, the difference between these games and a professional sports game was clear to me at the very end. I saw the flip of a switch when all the players lined up to shake hands at the end of the game. They were once again brothers and sisters in arms again, unified. In that regard, as tough as all the other teams were, I am glad we are on the same team when the branch jerseys come off. America is the land of the free and the home of the brave, because of men and women like these.

In the spirit of good sportsmanship, I extend my deep appreciation to all the Warrior Games teams. You have my respect and admiration. I know that next year, the other services will be hot on the Army team’s heels to try and take their win. It is going to be a long year to have to wait for such excitement again.

 

You Can Get There From Here

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games by on May 21, 2011 at 2:00 am {no comments}

By Retired SGM Vondell Brown, AW2 Advocate Support Branch

Warrior Games wheelchair basketball player SGT Kinga Kiss-Johnson prepares to take a shot.

SGT Kinga Kiss-Johnson wrote these words in magic marker on the belt of her wheelchair: “You can get there from here.” She explains that it was a big change from standing to sitting playing basketball; “life doesn’t stop” is what she sums that statement up with. Every time Kiss-Johnson sits in that chair, she sees and holds those words close to her as she straps herself in. Then it’s game on from there.

Kiss-Johnson is “KJ” on the Warrior Games Army wheelchair basketball team. She is very well loved. In fact, when the team won against the Marines the other day, SPC Juan Soto looked around and took count. He said, “Stop…where is “KJ”? Wait for ‘KJ’.” The team is not a team without “KJ” and her service dog, Balto. And soon, she and Balto completed the photo, with her dog lying down next to her.

It is remarkable that “KJ” plays basketball at all after sustaining her injuries. Kiss-Johnson was medically retired out of the Fort Gordon Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) in November 2010, receiving 100% permanent disability ratingfor combat-related injuries, including TBI, PTSD, left and right hip injuries, and spinal cord injury. It has taken years for her to recover and is an ongoing process. A true inspiration.

Sports are in her blood—she has played basketball since she was a kid. She’s a natural athlete. Standing over 6 feet tall, she takes on any competitor on the court. I remember playing against her in at one of their practices and she telling me as I tried to enter into the paint, “this is my house, get out.” And that is exactly what I did.

I asked “KJ” about her prediction for the Army wheelchair basketball team at this year’s Warrior Games. She said, “Gold. We are here for no other reason.” And from the way they beat the Marines and Navy, I totally agree.

 

It was Like Watching the Super Bowl

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games by on May 19, 2011 at 3:39 am {no comments}

By Patricia Sands, WTC Stratcom

The Army Warrior Games wheelchair basketball team celebrates after their win over the Marines on Tuesday.

I don’t know if anyone has told you, but there was a bit of rivalry between the Army and the Marines over the wheelchair basketball finals at last year’s Warrior Games. This is an understatement for sure. In fact, after shadowing the team this week, I realized that last night’s game was almost as important as winning the finals.

COL Greg Gadson, the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Director, knew the importance of this game and talked to the team the morning before Tuesday’s game. He spoke to them as he did to the New York Giants before their 2008 Super Bowl win. He is an inspiration in word and deed. He not only talked the talk, he walked the walk. After talking to the team, he strapped himself into a wheelchair, moved among the ranks, and played with the team during their practice. As a double amputee himself, he told me, “They are tough and play a rough game. I took a few spills.”

Later that day, Gadson again showed his support as he took an anchor position at the end of the court. He held his position the entire game. I was with him and countless people told him he had a spot in the VIP room. However, he said he was staying courtside—right there at the battlefield.

Gadson is an ultimate competitor and if you have ever seen him, he embodies the entire U.S. Army persona in a single Soldier. I can only imagine the intimidation factor the Marines felt as they whizzed by his powerful presence at the end of their side of the court. Yet, he didn’t say a word to anyone. He knew these players had their marching orders from their coaches. That said, the coaches and the team had a tough first half. It went back and forth a bit more than I liked. The tension was very high.

I can tell you of an endearing moment that I witnessed during the game. There was a missed basket. SGT Delvin Maston, one of the Army wheelchair basketball players, gritted his teeth as he rolled by Gadson. In a split second, Gadson locked eyes with the young SGT, nodded, and Maston returned the nod.  It was clear what Gadson was communicating—“Shake it off. Reset. Get going. It’s ok. Try again. I am with you.” The silence between them was very full.

Army Warrior Games wheelchair basketball player SGT Delvin Maston looks to make a pass during the team’s game against the Marines.

The coaches and the players learned their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses to maximize their positions. It was a brilliant game of high energy and strategy. Coach Garner said it was a speed game and that the Army team had to adjust many times. Their adjustments worked and the tables turned. The Army team won the game and the crowds went crazy. They rushed the players and ran onto the court to join in the celebration of their victory. With the mission complete, Gadson left the battlefield.

Gadson shows support like he did that night and more 24/7 as he directs AW2. He oversees more than 170 AW2 Advocates in the field who assist severely wounded, ill, and injured Army Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families as they recover and succeed in all phases of their lives. These AW2 Advocates provide personalized assistance for the most severely wounded, ill, and injured.

To learn more about the AW2 program please visit the AW2 website. If you are part of an organization that supports severely wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and Veterans, learn more about how you can continue supporting through the AW2 Community Support Network. Get involved.

 

“With All Due Respect, Sir… You are Goin’ Down”

Filed under Adaptive Sports, Warrior Games by on May 17, 2011 at 9:02 pm {no comments}

By Patricia Sands, WTC Stratcom

The Army wheelchair basketball team scrimmages with members of the WTC cadre.

It was fun to hear the smack go down before the scrimmage between the WTC cadre and the Army wheelchair basketball team. However, after they started playing, the smack was gone on the cadre side. They were too busy keeping the ball and getting the chairs to turn more quickly. To their credit, the cadre gave it their all. They did a great job and played hard. Yet, the difference in the skill level between the two groups was very apparent. The Warrior Games Army team dominated the court and easily made complex plays look very easy. The cadre soon learned that maneuvering the wheelchairs and trying to win at the same time was not easy.

“They are tough. They didn’t cut any slack,” said MSG Rebeca Garo of AW2 Advocate Branch about the Army wheelchair basketball team. “Your hands are your legs, and it is harder than standing basketball. The coordination of moving the wheels and the fast change of direction is hard to coordinate. Then add catching, dribbling, and shooting the ball into the mix, and you realize you are out matched. I am at a complete disadvantage in this wheelchair. They go circles around me.”

Mr. Vondell Brown, a WTC staff member, also agreed. He said that you don’t even see the wheelchairs once the action starts. “You see top athletes coming at you fast. They are very skilled,” he explained. I asked him how he did against them, and if he had any great plays. He walked away smiling and saying, “Excuse me. I am going to get some water now.”

From the Army wheelchair basketball team side, I asked SGT Kinga “KJ” Kiss-Johnson her thoughts about playing the cadre. She said that they did well and it was fun. “MSG James Shiver effectively blocked me a few times,” added Kiss-Johnson. That is quite a feat since she is an awesome player. She said the coordination takes time to learn.

I asked Kiss-Johnson how she began playing basketball. She said it was recommended to her by her occupational therapist. She explained that it was a fun game, but beyond the fun, it helped her get better. Basketball helped her relearn not only physical skills, but it also helped her with her brain injury. “There is a lot of different and complex eye, hand, and body coordination that happens with this game. My brain knows how to play basketball, but getting my body to go where my brain wants it to go, took a lot of time to learn again. Plus, as competitive as Soldiers are, we work hard to gain the skills to win.” There is no denying that she has excelled in this endeavor. It sounds like basketball is just what the doctor ordered… and laughter is the best medicine. It is a great way to relearn skills outside of a therapy session and bond with other Soldiers and Veterans.

Returning from getting his water, Mr. Brown said with certainty, “I should have eaten my Wheaties®. I don’t see any one beating this team.”

 

I am the Master of my Fate and the Captain of my Soul

Filed under Staff Stories, Warrior Games by on May 11, 2011 at 7:50 pm {no comments}

By Patricia Sands, WTC Stratcom

AW2 Soldier SGT Alonzo Lunsford coaches three 2011 Warrior Games wheelchair basketball players during training.

SGT Alonzo Lunsford is an AW2 Soldier and one of the coaches for the 2011 Warrior Games wheelchair basketball team. Much has happened since he was a coach last year for shot put and discus. Coach Lunsford was one of the survivors from the Fort Hood tragedy and was shot six times, resulting in blindness in one of his eyes. He is still recovering, but insisted on being at the Warrior Games for the players.

Asked why it was vital for him to return as a coach, he replied, “It is about the Soldiers and showing what is possible. These games are exciting and invigorating. The Soldiers feel alive and see progress with their mind and their bodies. Participating in athletics is very therapeutic. It releases negative feelings and gives an outlet for frustration. The Soldier can take the stress and tension out on the court and not on those in his or her life.”

Watching the players on the court, he added, “The teamwork builds friendships for life. We all have chewed the same dirt. These are my people and they have been through the same pain,” Lunsford said. “What we have been through is culture shock to those out of the military.” After listening to these words, I realized that it is therapeutic for him and the athletes to be together. It is another way to heal and is a reality about which civilians can sympathize, but cannot empathize.

He lives by the words in the title of this blog, “I am the master of my fate and the captain of my soul.” He will tell you that he may not be able to play basketball, but he can coach. He said life is about looking at what you have and making the most out of it. He is from a long line of military and law enforcement people. When I asked this father of five if he was planning on staying in the Army, he replied, “Of course, we are still at war. If I can be of service to the Army, I will stay. When the war is done, I will think about getting out.”

For now he hopes that Warrior Games will expand and more players will come forward. He believes the Warrior Games helps wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and their Families, while educating and involving the public in a very positive way.

Go Army!

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