Team Navy Warriors participate in Adaptive Sports Camp at JBPHH

ByAnnaMarieG.General

Commander Navy Region Hawaii

The Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW) program hosted a series of adaptive sports camps at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH)andIolaniHighSchoolfromFeb. 6 10

This weeklong camp gave wounded warriors the opportunity to try a variety of sportsthatincludedarchery sittingvolleyball, indoor rowing cycling swimming shooting and track.

Margo Crane, program director for Commander, Navy Region Hawaii’s (CNRH) NWW program explained what the program is about.

“TheAdaptiveSportsCampissomething that the Navy Wounded Warrior program does all across the six regions that encompass our program and helps to introduce sportstoNavySailorsandCoastguardsmen who may have a condition that no longer allows them to participate in a sport in a traditional manner,” said Crane “So, they get introduced to different kinds of equip- ment that have been adapted for the varioussports.”

Navy athletes who participated in the adaptive sports camps at JBPHH are wounded warrior members who flew in from the different regions of the United States For one athlete, this program led him to an opportunity to transition from an athletetoacoach.

Retired Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Roel Espino joined the wounded warrior program through his command after getting into a motorcycle accident when hewasoncestationedhereatNavalHealth Clinic Hawaii.

WiththehelphereceivedfromtheCNRH NWWprogramasaNavyveteran,andasan archeryandshootingathlete,Espinofelthe needed to give his time to coach the NWW shooting team at JBPHH for this year’s adaptivesportscamp.

“I don’t even know how to describe it, it’s an experience that I’m grateful for It’s theopportunitytohelppeoplethatwerein my situation is just my way in giving back to a program that’s given so much to me,” said Espino EspinomadehistoryinHawaiiasthefirst membertojointheCNRHNWWprogram. Cranesharesherstoryabouthisjourney.

“In 2014, I was a recovery care coordinator so I was a case manager for all the wounded warriors here on the island and myfirstrecoveringservicememberorRSM wasRoelEspino,”explainedCrane “Hewas injuredsince2013andwasstillwithusuntil 2014, and so it’s been wonderful all these years to follow his journey after he retired withusandstayedonaspartoftheadaptive athleticsteamandnowcoach.

Aspartofbeingacoach,Espinosharedhis advice to other wounded warriors who are goingthroughthesamesituation.

“Help is available, get it. You don’t have to go through the struggles alone,” he said. “There are people that are willing to help you and do whatever you need to do to get backonyourfeet,andstayinthefight.

In addition to the adaptive sports camp, theeventalsoincludedaboattourtotheUSS Arizona Memorial, and concluded with a dinnerandcake-cuttingceremonyonFeb.10

AccordingtotheNavyWoundedWarrior website “Navy Wounded Warrior coordinates the non-medical care of seriously wounded, ill, and injured Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, and provides resources and support to their families and caregivers Regional non-medical care providers tailor support to each enrolled service member’s recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration needs Theprogramallowsservicemembers andtheirfamiliestofocusonrecoverywithout distraction. To date, nearly 10,000 seriously wounded, ill, and injured service members located throughout the country received assistance Enrollment in Navy Wounded Warrior does not end when a servicememberleavesamedicaltreatment facility. Navy Wounded Warrior provides a lifetimeofsupport.”

TosignupfortheNavyWoundedWarrior program, contact 1-855-NAVY-WWP (6289997) or for more information, visit their website at https://www.navywoundedwarrior.com/ or “Like” them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/navywoundedwarrior