December 23, 2008—Rockville, MD— Severely wounded service members who have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, will participate in the year long sports rehabilitation program offered by Disabled Sports USA (DS/USA) in partnership with its local chapters and Wounded Warrior Project. This year’s activities for the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project will include a series of more than 70 “learn-to” clinics in snow skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, cycling, golf, sailing, outrigger canoeing, kayaking, SCUBA, rock and ice climbing, camping, water skiing, rafting, wake boarding, track and field, and other sports. A Winter sports schedule, with more than 35 events, is attached. A Summer schedule of activities to be announced later.

Advanced level training and competitions are also offered to help the Wounded Warriors to remain active throughout their lives. Several of the Wounded Warriors have been certified as ski instructors and scuba divers, and some are training to be Paralympians, as a result of this program. Many have become active in local DS/USA chapter activities, once they return to civilian life.

The Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project provides all sports programs free of charge for severely wounded service members and their families. This includes costs for transportation, special adaptive sports equipment, training from qualified adaptive sports instructors, lodging, meals and other costs.

“Through the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, we are honored to be able to offer severely wounded service members and their families recreational activities to heal the mind, body and spirit” stated John Melia, Executive Director and Founder of Wounded Warrior Project.

“The 2008 programs will include active sports that will show our Wounded Warriors they can lead full and active lives despite their severe wounds,” said Kirk Bauer, executive director of Disabled Sports USA and a disabled Vietnam veteran.

“We will conduct programs throughout the USA, taking these deserving Wounded Warriors to some fantastic venues, including skiing and snowboarding in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Sierra Nevada Mountains in California; kayaking and rock climbing; SCUBA diving; water skiing in New York, Texas and California; surfing in California and North Carolina; golfing and cycling at courses and paths near the hospitals where they are convalescing and many other activities.” Bauer added.

Activities will be held for severely wounded service members rehabilitating in Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.; Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas; Balboa Naval Medical Center in San Diego California; and Veterans Hospitals in Tampa Florida and Palo Alto California and other medical centers. Wounded Warriors discharged from the military will also have the opportunity to continue to participate at DS/USA national and chapter programs throughout the USA, so they can maintain an active sports life.

In addition to Wounded Warrior Project, sponsors include Ariel Corporation, Bank of America, Battelle, Moore Capital Management, PING, PGA Foundation, Franklin Templeton Investments, Kellogg Brown & Root, Raymond James, The Chart Group, Darby Foundation, Marine Corps Celebrity Classic, Non Commissioned Officers Association, Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Charitable Foundation, Tee It Up For The Troops, Trijicon, US Former Members of Congress, Fournier Family Foundation, Genatt Associates, Miami International Holdings, and Phoenix Beverages, Inc. and others.

About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP serves to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, please call 877 TEAM WWP (832-6997) or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

dsusa2 logo Disabled Sports USA and Wounded Warrior Project Announce Sports Rehabilitation Schedule for 2009 Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project

About Disabled Sports USA
Founded in 1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans, Disabled Sports USA provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to rebuild their lives through sports, recreation and educational programs. DS/USA is a national multi-sport, multi-disability organization serving more than 60,000 youth and adults annually. A member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, DS/USA offers programs through its nationwide network of 98 community-based chapters operating in 38 states. For schedules and additional information, visit www.dsusa.org/woundedwarrior.html or call (301) 217-9840.