Along with an unwavering commitment to our country, one of the things that attracts so many men and women to the U.S. Armed Forces is the camaraderie that comes with it. When a soldier is in a situation where he or she has to rely on others as much as they have to rely on him or her, some deep and meaningful relationships develop.
But, when a soldier is discharged and sent home from the field because they suffered a disabling injury, it can be all too easy for the veteran to get depressed because the camaraderie they loved so much is suddenly missing. Thankfully, there are some organizations that are dedicated to helping disabled veterans reconnect with their brothers and sisters through sports.
If you or someone you know is a disabled veteran, then these six organizations can help you become part of a team again.
Veterans Adaptive Sports is an organization that serves veterans with spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments, and neurological injuries. Disabled veterans undergo rehabilitation for their injuries through a variety of different adaptive sports, such as golfing, SCUBA diving, biking, skiing, and more.
Paralyzed Veterans of America provides lacrosse clinics for veterans suffering from spinal cord injuries and other injuries or disorders. The organization has a partnership with Wheelchair Lacrosse USA. Traditional lacrosse rules are followed, but the game is played on a hockey rink with a no-bounce ball. Abled body veterans are also welcome to play, but they will have to play in a wheelchair.
Paralyzed Veterans of America also provides disabled veterans with the opportunity to play wheelchair basketball, softball, quad rugby, handcycling, and other traditional sports. For competitive, high-speed sports, this organization is one of the best.
Paralyzed Veterans of America provides disabled veterans with the opportunity to play a variety of competitive, high-speed sports.
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports offers a variety of programs specifically designed for injured service members, disabled, and their families, who live in Vermont. At Vermont Adaptive, veterans with physical disabilities and/or invisible disabilities like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and brain injuries are accommodated.
Vermont Adaptive is also a frequent participant in the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, and programs and projects provided through Disabled Sports USA, the US Paralympics, and the United States Association of Blind Athletes.
Higher Ground’s military programs are designed to help injured service members gain the physical skills, confidence, and coping strategies necessary for reintegrating into their families and communities. Therapies and sports programs are available for injured active duty and disabled veterans diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other polytrauma. Some of the programs offered include Snow Sports, Rafting, Water Sports, and Fly Fishing.
Disabled Sports USA has a free program called Warfighter Sports that is specially designed for wounded warriors and their families. Warfighter Sports is a multi-sport program that currently offers 50 different adaptive sports for disabled veterans and wounded active duty members to choose from. In 2017, Warfighter Sports supported more than 1,500 wounded warriors!
The Inland Northwest Disabled Veterans Sports Association was created by a team of disabled veterans with the purpose of helping other disabled vets enjoy a more active and engaged lifestyle. The Association even helps disabled athletes enter some of the top events in the country, including the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, and the National Veterans Golden Age Games.
Getting back out there and joining a team isn’t always the easiest thing for a disabled veteran to do. But, once you hurdle the initial obstacle, you will discover a world of competition and enjoyment waiting for you to join. Sports can help you improve your health and wellness and help you integrate back into your community. The above are just some of the many organizations that help disabled vets and wounded active duty service members. For more, contact your local Veterans Administration office.
What’s not to love about new stuff? Everyone loves new things. New cars, clothes, appliances, etc. But paying top dollar for some new things might not be worth it. Sometimes purchasing used – also known as pre-owned or secondhand – items might be a smarter way to go. It’s easy to find items in excellent condition for significantly less money than if you bought them new. If you are trying to cut corners, here are seven things you should consider buying used.
Dress your kids in super stylish outfits without paying super outrageous prices by purchasing pre-owned clothes. Children grow so fast, so it is easy to find good quality clothes that have been hardly worn. Visit consignment shops and tag sales, and look for local Facebook “garage sale” groups where people in your area might post kids’ clothes for sale at a fraction of the cost of new.
There are many reasons why people sell perfectly good furniture. Perhaps they are downsizing or moving to a different climate. Maybe they have an adult child who has left the nest, or they have inherited furniture that doesn’t fit their home’s size or décor.
You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by purchasing used furniture. Craigslist, garage sales, consignment stores, and flea markets are great sources for finding secondhand tables, chairs, desks, armoires, and other beautiful pieces for your home.
Score big savings by buying used sports equipment. Purchasing pre-owned equipment and gear makes sense if you are trying a new sport – why invest in expensive golf clubs or skis if you are a beginner and not sure if you will continue with the sport? Buying used is also wise if you have kids who play sports. Children quickly outgrow gloves, helmets, shoulder pads and other gear and equipment. By purchasing gently used items you can keep up with your kids’ athletic interests without breaking the bank.
Like sports equipment, musical instruments are other items you don’t need to spend a significant amount of money on if you are just starting out. A pre-owned instrument in good condition is perfect for beginners. Prior to completing a purchase, make sure an experienced musician examines the instrument to ensure its quality. Slight cosmetic issues can be overlooked, but mechanical problems cannot. If it’s a good fit for your needs, the money you save will be music to your ears.
Whether you want to add to your home library or get through your college assignments, you can save a lot of money by buying books used. Today there many online resources that sell previously owned books and textbooks including Amazon, AbeBooks, ThriftBooks, Alibris, BookFinder, Chegg.com, Half.com, and many others.
Get a high quality hand tool without the high price tag by buying them secondhand. Hand tools like hammers, wrenches, shovels, pliers are meant to stand the test of time so there are usually many gently used tools for sale and it probably won’t be very difficult to find just what you need. Buying used is also a smart option if you need a specific tool for a one-time project. Two popular resources for finding used tools are Craigslist and garage sales. Look for well-known brand names like Craftsman, Black + Decker, Kobalt, DeWalt, and Bosch. For more tips on how to buy used tools, read this Popular Mechanics article.
New video games can cost more than $60 each, but buying them new isn’t the only game in town. If you are ok with waiting until after the hottest new releases cool off a bit, consider buying pre-owned video games. Reduce the cost of your gaming hobby by shopping at Amazon, GameStop, Half.com, Walmart, and other retailers that sell pre-owned games.
Buying new might be convenient, but in some cases you might be spending more than you have to. Being frugal doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality. Be a savvy shopper and look for ways you can save money by purchasing pre-owned products when it makes sense.