Adaptive sports have proven to be a catalyst for establishing community among veterans with military service-related disabilities. Such activities, especially those conducted in outdoor spaces, provide mental and physical health benefits that greatly improve the quality of life for veterans.
The benefits of being immersed in the outdoors are so pronounced that many doctors in Canada even prescribe a Parks Canada (equivalent to national parks in the United States) pass alongside some treatments. And in the United States, medical experts like Noushin Razani, MD, of Benioff Children’s Hospital at the University of California, San Francisco, have gone so far as to monitor “time spent outdoors almost as much as patients’ pulse, weight, and blood pressure.” Razani) said in a report on PBS News Hour.
“If you take an urban adult into the forest, within 15 minutes cortisol and blood pressure will increase. [and] heart rate,” Razani added. “But what’s more compelling to me is the fact that people who live in green areas live longer.”
One adaptive nonprofit spearheading this outdoor wellness initiative is Paradox Sports, a climbing business based in Boulder, Colorado. Paradox Sports offers adaptive rock and ice climbing experiences in some of the country’s most beautiful destinations.
Paradox Sports, co-founded by retired Army Maj. Dennis “DJ” Skelton, trains adaptive athletes in the mountains before embarking on a multi-day adventure that debunks the idea that a disability prevents you from living a brave life. We will guide you to mountain climbing courses.
“Climbing has the power to almost transform who you are and where this obstacle is at,” said Jen Nam, an Army veteran and director of Paradox Sports. he said at the MCON convention on veterans culture. “Everyone has different challenges, but there’s kind of an internal process of just testing, taking risks, and thinking, ‘How do I get through this with what I have?’ ” It’s really powerful to see that power, that focus, and that outcome. ”
To date, Paradox Sports has operated 120 adaptive climbing courses and taken climbers of all skill levels on 70 trips across 30 states. For veterans, outings like this provide a platform to reacquaint themselves with the camaraderie that is unique to military service.
And while Paradox Sports’ expeditions are aimed at all well-adjusted athletes, not just veterans, the nonprofit is currently planning a veteran-specific trip scheduled for next August. He plans to lead a group of veterans to the highest peak for free. Located in Grand Teton, Wyoming, one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in America.
“It’s going to be a pretty grueling few days, where people will have the opportunity to train, learn skills, connect with each other and summit Grand Teton,” Nam said, referring to the 13,775-foot main peak. Told.
“For us, this is a great space to tell stories and foster friendships. …Conquering this great mountain is kind of transcendent, but it’s also a great space for us to share our stories with our brothers and sisters who have a similar history.” It is a truly powerful experience to accomplish this with my sisters.”
Learn more about Paradox Sports and the nonprofit Adaptive Athlete’s work here, find out how you can get involved, and be sure to check back for more information about the Grand Teton adventure.
John Simkins is a writer and editor for Military Times and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.