"Having this office
in San Diego, the Warriors will know where to find us. We will always be
here," said Dan Nevins of the Wounded Warrior Project, who is a wounded
warrior himself.
The project has always
been in San Diego, but coordinators have been scattered around the county. Now,
there is a central office where information about benefits, health care and
simply a place to hang out and connect with one another is now available.
"When you separate
from the service and get out and you're home wherever that is, you may be the
only wounded warrior, the only combat veteran in a 100 mile radius," said
Nevins.
The San Diego office is
the fifth to open in the country. The Wounded Warrior Project is hoping to open
three more offices around the country by the end of the year.
To mark the occasion,
the Wounded Warrior Project will hold a fundraising event in Oceanside Saturday
called "Soldier's Ride." The public is invited to join in by making a
donation and ride along.
Fourteen Wounded Warriors from
Naval Medical Center San Diego's Balboa Warrior Athlete Program (BWAP) took to
the greens Jan. 13 at Naval Base Golf Performance Center on Naval Base San
Diego during their weekly Progressive Golf Clinic.
BWAP is a program designed to
help wounded, ill or injured service members complete scheduled therapeutic
sessions through the use of sports, fitness and recreation, while helping bring
back their level of function and independence in their daily lives.
"The program is beneficial
because it helps decrease stress and provides a social outlet by giving the
service members the chance to meet other people and peers who are going through
the same situations," said Marla Knox, a BWAP manager and a certified
therapeutic recreation specialist. "Knowing they are not alone helps to
build a support mechanism for them."
The Progressive Golf Clinic,
sponsored by Commander Navy Region Southwest, is a 7-week program that is
designed for beginner to intermediate-skilled players to get out and have the
chance to learn and enjoy the game of golf. It is held every Thursday, and
service members have the opportunity to be coached by Professional Golfers'
Association (PGA) golfers who teach them the game, from golf etiquette to
proper form.
"This is an excellent
program and it's great to get the chance to get out here and take the
opportunity to learn from the professionals," said Chief Gunner's Mate
Mury Cunningham, a golf clinic participant. "I'm really grateful that this
service is provided for us, and I recommend it to everyone who can
attend."
During the clinic each golfer
is assessed and undergoes a basic evolution of learning the equipment, and
gaining course knowledge. They participate in team skill competitions and also
play a 9-hole scramble at the Admiral Baker Golf Course.
BWAP has multiple programs,
including hiking, kayaking, surfing and many more. Each program is designed to
help the service member have a good time and improve their physical condition
while on the road to recovery.
"The different programs
have a different goal to help improve the service members physical, social,
emotional and cognitive well being hence increase their overall well
being," said Knox.http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=58056
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