World T.E.A.M. Sports 2016 Annual Review World T.E.A.M. Sports Annual Report 2016 | Page 15

Participating adaptive veterans,
surpassing 130 riders for the second
year, included individuals with loss
of limbs, paralysis, blindness, Post-
Traumatic Stress and Traumatic
Brain Injury. For many, life after injury
or illness will never be the same.
Riding Face of America offers
a path for these veterans to regain
their sense of community and
personal worth. For many veterans
who have become disabled during
their national service, returning
home to civilian life breaks close
ties with colleagues and friends
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
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
active duty military, retired military and civilians, the nearly
600 Face of America cyclists arrived together at the AllStar
Expo Complex united in honor of veterans who have sacrificed
so much in service to their country.
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