Tag Archives: wounded warriors

Warfighter Sports

Warfighter Sports have provided 8,200 wounded warriors and family opportunities to participate in more than 30 sports since 2003, free of any costs.

The mission of Warfighter Sports is simple:
Provide adaptive sports to severely wounded warriors free of cost. Thanks to generous supporters, they have supported 1,500 wounded warriors just last year alone.

Apply To Be  A Warfighter Here

Warfighter Sports Individual Training Grants
Warfighter Sports is offering grants to veterans and members of the armed forces with permanent physical disabilities who do not have nearby access to adaptive training in the sport of their choice.

Grant funding can be used to assist with participation expenses associated with their individual sport goals. Successful applicants will be awarded grant funding as well as Warfighter Sports apparel to wear during their participation.

The goal of this program is to help veterans and members of the armed forces with permanent physical disabilities gain independence in their chosen sport, so that even if an adaptive club is not available nearby, they have the ability to participate in non-adaptive programs alongside family and friends.

Grants of up to $1000, per warrior, per year are available on a rolling basis until all funds have been spent. Funds are only distributed once valid receipts and reports have been received by Disabled Sports USA. Applicants will be notified if their grant is approved within 21 business days of their submission.

Grant Qualifications:

  • Veterans or members of the armed forces with a permanent physical disability* who do not have nearby access to adaptive training in their chosen sport
  • Veterans or members of the armed forces with a permanent physical disability* who are seeking advanced training, competitive or classification opportunities in their chosen sport
  • $1000 maximum grant awarded per year
  • Must participate in qualified sporting activity (see application for specific list)

*i.e. spinal cord injury, amputation, vision impairment, traumatic brain injury, nerve/joint or muscle damage that permanently impedes function.

 Sample Expenses Covered:

  • Travel expenses to train in an adaptive sport if not offered locally
  • Travel to attend classification opportunities or Paralympic competition
  • Coaching fees for individualized instruction
  • Adaptive sports equipment not covered by the VA

Reporting Requirements: 

The following is to be submitted no later than two weeks post-activity or by September 1, 2015 (whichever is soonest)

  • Brief summary of program outcomes (one paragraph)
  • Photo of participation in activity (preferably while wearing Warfighter Sports provided apparel)
  • Provide valid receipts for expenses

In Sickness & in Health: A Husband Invents A ‘Tankchair’ For His Paralyzed Wife

During all the trial and error it took for combat veteran Brad Soden to invent a wheelchair worthy of his wife, nothing motivated him more than her tears.

Liz Soden, partially paralyzed after a traffic accident only three months before their wedding, would often be distraught at missing out on family hikes and camping trips with their five kids.

Brad was determined to do something about it.

“When you get her to cry, I’m motivated,” Brad told Matt Lauer on TODAY Thursday. “I’ll make it happen.”

A plumber without a college degree or any training as an engineer, Brad suffered a few setbacks to construct a wheelchair with tank-like treads rugged enough to work off-road and powerful enough to handle mountain trails.

“We started a couple fires, but we had beer on hand, so we could just put it out,” Brad said.

Watch a video on the ‘Tankchair’ at NBC.Com

The end result was the “Tankchair,” which gave Liz the freedom she craved and soon became Brad’s full-time job.

Husband Invents A ‘Tankchair’ For His Paralyzed Wife

Building the “Tankchair” took some trial and error and set some stuff on fire, but Brad got it done.

“It made it where I could go out and go hiking and camping,” Liz told Lauer. “When we went to the snow, I would sit in the car. Now I can get out, and I can chase my kids around, and I can go with them. Just the hiking and getting out — I’m not a prisoner anymore in the car and in the house.”

Brad hopes to provide Tankchairs free of charge to wounded warriors, but as the chairs are classified as recreational vehicles, they are not covered by insurance. The chair, which can travel up to 30 miles per hour and costs between $12,000 and $15,000, has become a hit with disabled veterans — a new one has a three-month waiting list.

VMI and Toyota Motor Sales USA Announce “Star Spangled Salute” Van Giveaway for Disabled U.S. Vets

2013 Toyota Sienna VMI Summit Silver VMi New England

VMI and Toyota Motor Sales USA Announce “Star Spangled Salute” Van Giveaway for Disabled U.S. Vets

 

Vantage Mobility International (VMI) and Toyota Motor Sales USA have teamed up for the Operation Independence Star Spangled Salute, a national contest to give America’s disabled military veterans the chance to win a 2013 Toyota Sienna SE with VMI’s Access360 In-floor Ramp Conversion. The online contest will run March 13 to November 10, 2013, and is open to all disabled U.S. Veterans. The winner will be randomly drawn on Veteran’s Day, November 11. The Star Spangled Salute contest is a part of VMI’s Operation Independence program.

“We established Operation Independence in 2011 to help educate our disabled military service men and women about federal grants and mobility options available to them,” said Doug Eaton, president of Vantage Mobility International. “We wanted to support a group of people who have sacrificed so much for this country. So we were excited when Toyota Motor Sales USA agreed to donate a Sienna SE for the Operation Independence Star Spangled Salute contest.”

All disabled veterans are eligible to enter the Star Spangled Salute contest. The winner, who will be randomly drawn on November 11, 2013, will receive a new Sienna SE, which was donated by Toyota Motor Sales USA and features the Access 360 In-floor Ramp Conversion system that is being donated by VMI. To enter the Operation Independence Star Spangled Salute contest and for contest rules, terms and conditions.

“Toyota has been a longtime supporter of Paralyzed Veterans of America and we are excited to benefit one of our country’s disabled veterans through VMI’s Operation Independence Star Spangled Salute contest,” said Mark Oldenburg, Toyota’s national fleet marketing, mobility and strategic planning manager. “We appreciate the opportunity to put such a deserving individual behind the wheel of the Toyota Sienna.”

Operation Independence is a national program developed by VMI and the VMI Select Dealer Network and is supported by Paralyzed Veterans of America. A portion of the Operation Independence program is to educate veterans about Federal Grant 21-4502, which is available to disabled U.S. veterans. To learn more about the program and grant, veterans can visit www.pva.org/vmi.

Earlier this year, former Air Force Lieutenant General John F. Regni accepted a position on the VMI Board of Advisors. “Access to reliable transportation is critical for wounded warriors who are reclaiming their independence,” said General Regni. “A VMI converted Toyota Sienna will give them the mobility to secure a job, take care of their family and travel to the doctor. It is truly live-changing for a disabled veteran.”

ABOUT VANTAGE MOBILITY INTERNATIONAL

Vantage Mobility International is a manufacturer and distributor of the most innovative, reliable, highest quality and easily accessible transportation in the world. Their full line of products include domestic and import minivan conversions, full-size van conversions, platform lifts, scooter and wheelchair lifts and transfer seats.

ABOUT TOYOTA

Toyota (NYSE:TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants. There are nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in the U.S. which sold more than 2 million vehicles in 2012. Toyota directly employs over 31,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $23 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota’s annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from U.S. suppliers totals over $26 billion.