The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have created a unique set of challenges for soldiers, their families, healthcare providers, and the American people as a whole. Funding for the American military and treatment of its soldiers involved in post 9/11 combat needs to be increased. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought to light the needs that American service men and women have after returning from combat zones. Many soldiers have served multiple tours causing their needs to exponentially increase after returning home. Since 2001 there have been 1,645 soldiers that have suffered injuries resulting in major limb amputations. Major limb amputations consist of one or more full or partial amputations. (Fischer) These soldiers need different options beyond traditional rehabilitation methods. Recognizing this need David Van Sleet started The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team. The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team is a non profit foundation that trains and guides veterans and active duty soldiers to build back confidence and learn to navigate a new world after devastating injuries through many mediums focusing on camaraderie and mentorship.
A different outlet for Amputee rehabilitation seemed necessary; that is how The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team or WWAST started. The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team was founded by my cousin David Van Sleet, an Army veteran and prosthesis manager working for Veterans Affairs. The idea came to fruition in March 2011 when Van Sleet put together a talented squad to play in a disabled veterans sports camp made possible by a congressional grant that the University of Arizona received. The camp was part of MLB Spring Training and lasted only a week, but those who played on the WWAST wanted more than that. When the camp was done, the thought was unanimous: “This can't end here.”(WWAST)
David saw the need for a competitive rehab outlet for post 9/11 soldiers with major amputations. The mission of the WWAST is “To inspire and educate others while enhancing the health and welfare of Wounded Warrior Amputees.” (WWAST) The team aims to lift up player confidence through competitive Softball and the camaraderie by being a part of a team, a family. Camaraderie is something that many discharged soldiers had during their time in the service but now lack. David expected that there would be an interest in the team but says that he was not prepared for the huge amount of applications and try out request that came in after announcing the idea for the team. The team currently consist of thirty dedicated players that rotate through games. The team includes players that work full time, go to college full and part time, and active duty soldiers. The dedication to the team is something that comes naturally to most of these guys. Feeling like they are part of something greater than themselves is a huge part of feeling important and continuing to build self esteem and confidence.
Building confidence after a traumatic injury is imperative to recovery. Many, if not all, players on the team had a physical try out for the team. The guys are like a big family constantly encouraging each other and challenging each other to continue on and push themselves. Of course with a team full of men there is a fair share of giving each other heck. Some of the guys on the team played baseball in high School and joined the team to feel some sort of normality in their post injury lives. "It's been incredible, the concept of proving to America that we can still play the game we love, no matter what kind of injury we're dealing with," Dreyer said. "We try to tell everybody, surround yourself with positive people and never give up. Our motto is, 'Life without limbs is limitless.' "(Carino)
Not only does the team help players to build confidence, but it also helps those who come to watch and volunteer. Watching the WWAST play against their able bodied opponents, the crowd can always tell that the other team starts off slow, taking it easy. The opposing team soon realizes that they have to play to their full ability or they will not have the slightest chance of keeping up with the Warriors. One thing about the WWAST that is special is that they only play able bodied teams making their rehab that much stronger by taking home a good split of wins and losses. This is a competitive team, in order to play on the team players must try-out and take on the every weekend or every other weekend game schedule. The players live all over the country, traveling long distances to make each game and speaking engagement.
Speaking engagements by Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team players are an important outlet for the players mental rehabilitation. The presentations are geared towards their audience. The players travel all over the country speaking at many events and through many different platforms including:corporate meetings, to student groups, athletic groups, and service organizations, as well as Veterans Affairs conferences. “The players speak from the heart and tell their individual stories, but all of them show a positive attitude, commitment, dedication and perseverance which allow them to overcome any obstacles.”(WWAST) A big part of these speaking engagements is the idea of finding their new normal and the new normal is different for each player. Listening to the speeches that are made by these amazing players it's inspiring and ultimately it's the definition of patriotism, serving their country before and after their injury.The confidence that the players gain from the team is translated into the inspiring speaking engagements that they take part in. The team spends a great deal of time talking to kids, many of whom do not know anyone with an amputation. Every once in awhile there is a child with a missing limb or amputation in the audience. This is where the idea for the kids camp stemmed from.
The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team Kids Camp is a training camp held for kids with amputations or missing limbs. This camp is run by players on the WWAST, and takes place annually in Orlando Florida. Players have the chance to be coaches and positive role models for kids, ages eight to twelve. CEO and founder David Van Sleet on the creation of the kids camp “Recognizing the positive impact Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team players have on children with amputations or missing limbs, we created a softball camp for such children where WWAST players serve as the coaches and mentors.”(WWAST) A priority of the WWAST is to cater to military families, many of the kids that attend the camp are from military families living all over the U.S. A big part of learning to navigate their new world is doing activities and taking on roles that they used to. These soldiers have the desire to be needed and of full use in their new bodies. Tim Horton an infielder and outfielder with four years of experience on the WWAST on the kids camp “The kids all had smiles on their faces and that meant everything to me. I know the team got a lot out of the camp and maybe even more than what the kids did. WWAST isn’t just showing people we are able to overcome obstacles in life, it’s about giving back to others and that is what this camp has done…It’s hard to express in words how much this camp meant to me.”(Horton) The future of a players life is greatly shaped by their experiences on the team and as coaches at the Kids Camp.
Finally, the impact that the attacks on September 11th, 2001 has had on American soldiers has been astounding. The injuries and stories of resilience that these patriots have are inspiring. Through non traditional forms of rehab these soldiers have had the chance to gain back the feeling of importance. Competitive softball has given many of these men and women a chance to rehab their injuries while also having the comradery that they so crave. The kids camp has allowed them to build their own confidence and knowledge while at the same time passing pass those traits on to a new generation that is dealing with some of the same challenges. The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team is a platform that allows for healing, health and a renewal of confidence for American soldiers harmed in post 9/11 combat.
Works Cited
"About The WWAST: Overview." WWAST. Web. 25 Sept. 2015. <http://woundedwarrioramputeesoftballteam.org/about-us/>.
Bosquez, Saul. "WWAST Interview." Online interview. 27 Sept. 2015.
Carino, Jerry. "Wounded Warrior Softball Team Inspires." USA Today. Gannett, 28 May 2015. Web. 15 Oct. 2015. <http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/05/28/wounded-warrior-amputee-softball-team/28096339/>.
Fischer, Hannah. "A Guide to U.S. Military Casualty Statistics: Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation New Dawn, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom."Congressional Research Service. 7 Aug. 2015. Web. 27 Sept. 2015.
Mastrodonato, Jason. "Wounded Warriors Show off Softball Skills vs. Marathon First Responders at Fenway Park." Major League Baseball. MLB, 13 Aug. 2013. Web. 12 Oct. 2015. <http://m.mlb.com/news/article/57566950/>.
"US Veterans & Military Families." Costs of War. Brown University. Web. 27 Sept. 2015.
"WWAST Kids Camp: Overview." WWAST. Web. 30 Sept. 2015. <http://woundedwarrioramputeesoftballteam.org/kids-camp/>.
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