World T.E.A.M. Sports 2016 Annual Review World T.E.A.M. Sports Annual Report 2016 | Page 13

NO. 3
BE A ROLE
MODEL
Adaptive military veterans from across the United States,
Puerto Rico, Canada and Denmark pedaled more than 100 miles
on two routes to historic Gettysburg in April 2016. Joined by
Most athletes participate in outdoor sports
active
duty military, retired military and civilians, the nearly
simply for personal enjoyment. Yet, through
their
serve cyclists
as a model
for others
600 actions,
Face of they
America
arrived
together at the AllStar
to follow.
Expo Complex united in honor of veterans who have sacrificed
so paralyzed
much in veteran
service who
to their
country.
A
hand pedals
her
cycle two days to Gettysburg is an inspiration.
Her accomplishment not only motivates those
Participating
adaptive
who
travel with
her, but veterans,
the public as well.
Riding Face of America offers
surpassing 130 riders for the second a path for these veterans to regain
year,
included
individuals with loss boy their sense of community and
A
young,
developmentally-disabled
of limbs,
who
rides paralysis,
a bicycle blindness,
for the first Post-
time and personal worth. For many veterans
Traumatic he
Stress
and
discovers
loves
the Traumatic
speed and motion
who have become disabled during
Brain
Injury.
For inspirational.
many, life after
injury his
of
riding
is also
Through
their national service, returning
or illness
never be the
same.
action,
he will
encourages
others.
home to civilian life breaks close
ties with colleagues and friends
Role models illuminate the path to life’s
enjoyment.
with whom they have served.
Without this personal support
network, the veteran can feel
isolated and alone, even if
surrounded by family and
pre-service friends.
Face of America’s two-day ride
to Gettysburg’s historic Civil War
battlefields allows adaptive athletes
to recognize that a challenging
sports activity can be a strong
healing force. Riding provides
important social connections with
other veterans from all service
branches who have similar life
experiences. Together, they can
create a supportive network of
understanding that lasts long
beyond the ride’s conclusion.
REVIEW
Completing difficult
sporting challenges
can encourage others,
both disabled and
able-bodied, to follow.
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