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Tag: adaptive sports

Team U.S. member breaks down what adaptive sports do
February 14, 2025 — The first Invictus Winter Games, a Paralympic-style competition for military service members, will be held in Whistler, Vancouver, from Feb 8-16. Army Master Sgt. Mike Haley of SOCOM, competing in biathlon, rowing, swimming, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair basketball, shared his journey from a spinal cord injury and broken femur to excelling in adaptive sports. After a severe landing accident in July 2021, Haley recovered through adaptive sports at the Fort Stewart Soldier Recovery Unit, winning medals in various events. He emphasizes the importance of adaptive sports for emotional support and recovery and looks forward to competing against international teams, despite his limited experience with winter sports... MORE

Army Master Sgt Michael Haley wins gold in the men’s biathlon at the 2025 Winter Invictus Games at Whistler/Vancouver, Canada.

Team US Member ready to climb another mountain at Winter Invictus Games
February 6, 2025 — Retired Navy Master Chief Steve Flemming, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2018 and pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer in 2023, is set to compete in the inaugural Winter Invictus Games in Vancouver from February 8-16. Despite his health challenges, Flemming has embraced adaptive sports, inspired by a life-changing opportunity to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. His journey highlights resilience and the importance of adaptive sports in recovery. Competing in Alpine skiing, skeleton, wheelchair basketball, and swimming, he encourages others facing similar challenges to find and conquer their own "mountains," representing their strength and perseverance... MORE

Retired Navy Master Chief (Center) at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in August of 2023.

We ARE TEAM U.S.!
February 6, 2025 — Team U.S. is gearing up for the inaugural Winter Invictus Games in Vancouver from February 8-16, inspired by the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" and focused on recovery through adaptive sports. Co-Captains retired Air Force Colonel Jacquelyn Marty and retired Army Master Sgt. Ivan Morera, both overcoming significant injuries, emphasize the importance of building relationships and resilience among team members. Marty's recovery journey began after a car accident in 2015, while Morera lost his left hand in 2013 due to a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. Both credit adaptive sports with helping them find hope and purpose beyond their injuries, and they aim to set positive examples for their children and fellow service members... MORE

Retired Army Master Sgt Ivan Morera and Retired Air Force Colonel Jacquelyn Marty are co-captains of Team U.S. They took a moment to strike a pose before talking to the team about bonding during the 2025 Team U.S. Invictus Games Training Camp located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)

Soldier Mom will show how it's done at Winter Invictus Games
January 23, 2025 — Army Staff Sgt. Leandra Moehring, a stay-at-home mom who recently had her second child, is set to compete for Team U.S. in the Winter Invictus Games in Vancouver. After medically retiring last April due to a knee injury, she discovered adaptive sports at the Fort Liberty Soldier Recovery Unit, which played a crucial role in her recovery. Moehring, who won four gold medals in swimming at the 2023 Warrior Games Challenge, will now compete in swimming, Nordic skiing, and skeleton at the Invictus Games. She credits her supportive coaches and husband for her success and aims to promote adaptive sports as a vital part of a Soldier’s recovery, hoping to inspire her children with her achievements... MORE

Retired Army Staff Sgt. Leandra Moehring and her family.

“Losing my sight made me a better snowboarder.”
January 15, 2025 — Retired Army Staff Sgt. Michael Murphy, who lost his sight in 2018 due to an accident while on deployment, is set to compete for Team U.S. in the first-ever Invictus Winter Games. Adaptive sports have given him a new lease on life, allowing him to participate in events like rowing, swimming, snowboarding, and skeleton. Having previously competed in the 2022 Warrior and Invictus Games, Murphy feels blessed to showcase his skills, especially in snowboarding, where he has learned to trust his guides completely. He attributes his recovery and success to the support of his adaptive sports community and his fiancé Ashley. Murphy's guide dog, Maverick, also plays a crucial role, providing emotional support during competitions. Murphy aims to inspire others and demonstrate the potential of blind athletes at this international level... MORE

Mike Murphy is airborne while snowboarding in a competition in Vermont in March 2024

Life goes on with Adaptive Sports
January 2, 2025 — Retired Army Staff Sgt. Bobby Green shares his journey of overcoming spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries through the power of adaptive sports. After a fall from a tactical vehicle in Kuwait, Green faced uncertainty about his future. Initially skeptical about adaptive sports, he discovered its transformative impact at the Joint Base San Antonio Soldier Recovery Unit. Embracing activities like seated shot put, archery, and sitting volleyball, Green credits adaptive sports with saving his life and giving him the tools to adapt. Now retired, he mentors athletes and volunteers, emphasizing the importance of a strong support system and the doors that adaptive sports can open... MORE

U.S. Army veteran Bobby Green works on his shot-put technique, September 23, at York Lion Stadium, Toronto, Canada, in preparation for the Invictus Games.

“Adaptive sports regifted confidence to me.” ~ Tiffanie Johnson
December 11, 2024 — After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Corporal Tiffanie Johnson’s life changed drastically, leaving her feeling lost and disconnected from the Army she loved. At the Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) at Walter Reed, adaptive sports offered her a lifeline she hadn’t anticipated. Initially hesitant, Johnson eventually embraced the opportunity, finding not only physical strength but also mental and emotional healing through activities like seated volleyball and air rifle—where she discovered hidden talents. Competing in the Warrior Games and Invictus Games, she overcame challenges, including fatigue and limitations in three limbs, by learning to adapt and thrive. Adaptive sports not only restored her confidence and sense of purpose but also allowed her to reconnect with the military community. Now balancing school, part-time work, and a stable diagnosis, Johnson views adaptive sports as a transformative gift that gave her back the confidence and belonging she once feared she had lost... MORE

Team US, Army Veteran Cpl. Tiffanie Johnson at the 2023 Invictus Games in Duesseldorf, Germany. September 8, 2023.

The Strength of a Military Family
November 26, 2024 — summarize Every November since 1996, Military Family Month recognizes military families' service and sacrifices. This year, we honor the Calantoc Family, who’ve had more than their share of sacrifices due to unfortunate circumstances. Retired Army Staff Sgt Gene and Miho Calantoc married in 2009, embarked on a military career journey for Gene, and welcomed three children during their multiple military moves. “I was very clueless initially when he said he would join the military. You can’t imagine what happens in a military family’s life. I had to be up to the task,“ said Miho Calantoc. Originally from San Diego, the Calantocs moved four times in ten years. “It’s definitely something most people won't experience. One month after we had our first daughter, my husband got orders to deploy for nine months to Afghanistan. We just moved to Kentucky, our first duty station, so we had no family, no friends, and I was a newbie in this military world.” She says she made new friends by “networking” the network. “ Before we got into the military, I didn’t have a lot of friends. Reaching out to people was a new thing for me. It was hard to do because I didn’t want to burden anybody. The military taught me it's okay to ask for help, and networking is vital.” She did this by engaging with Fort Campbell’s Family Resource Group, which she says was instrumental in building her confidence to seek help and build lifelong friendships. Many people hear that story when military families or military moves are discussed. What happened on their third assignment to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, changed their lives forever. “Our life changed 180 degrees. Our goal was twenty years in the Army. I just had our third child when we were in Missouri, and he was only 8 months old when Gene had his accident,” said Miho. Gene had a terrible motorcycle accident while riding with friends in March 2020, the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. At a hospital two hours away, a nurse called Miho and explained Gene would need his leg amputated and said they would update her by phone with information after his surgery. “ We turned the car around and went home; we weren’t allowed in the hospital,” said Miho. Staff Sergeant Calantoc admires his bride, who moved heaven and earth to reunite her family. “I am very proud of Miho. She has been so supportive, even though this is not what she signed up for, and wasn’t prepared for this outcome. She is truly amazing.” Because of COVID restrictions, it would be more than two months before the family would reunite. It was a busy two months for Miho and the kids. “We didn’t see Gene until he got to his next assignment, the Soldier Recovery Unit in San Antonio. That was in May. We also had to move out of our home within two months, and I had to clear Gene from all his work stuff before we headed to San Antonio. So, I had to do everything by myself with the kids,” said Miho. Mica Calantoc is old enough to remember when her dad had two legs. She says life is normal now, but it was a lot of newness initially. The abrupt move to another state, a new school, and the new way to navigate the house. “It's different because my dad needs a little help. It is weird, though, at night because he takes his leg off to go to bed,” said the 12-year-old with a giggle. The Calantocs have quite the military journey as a family to share, enduring more than their share, but they are proud, according to Miho, to have served for ten years. “It’s not easy, and the struggle is real. People automatically think of the stability you get in the military — housing, paycheck, medical. They don’t understand the struggle of not having a spouse who is in training or deployed. Add to that if you then become a caregiver and how much work it is to care for someone with a disability and keep the whole house running, likely living somewhere away from family.” Staff Sgt. Calantoc medically retired in 2021 and turned to adaptive sports as a way to recover. He made Team Army and competed at this year’s Warrior Games. It most definitely became a family affair. “I like to see how much my Dad can do in those sports. He’s fast because he practices a lot. I'm really proud of him, and I like to see him in wheelchair rugby,” said Mica. “He plays with the kids in his wheelchair. We are learning to adapt and are comfortably placed into our new normal as a military family,” Miho shared. She is particularly proud of their children and how they’ve embraced this unplanned journey. “After seeing Daddy with a disability, I’ve noticed our kids are more compassionate and embracing of others with a disability. They are very considerate and helpful .” Recognizing his family's sacrifices and strength, Calantoc is thankful his wife fits into military life perfectly and handles everything like a champ. “She means everything to me. She’s always loving and caring. When I am sad or depressed, she is there to lift me up. Our family is a blessing, and I know the Lord knows what is coming for me in the future. I’m ready.” Military Family Month, celebrated every November since 1996, recognizes the service and sacrifices of military families. This year, it honors the Calantoc Family. Retired Army Staff Sgt Gene and Miho Calantoc have navigated multiple relocations, deployments, and a life-changing motorcycle accident in 2020 that led to Gene's leg amputation. Despite challenges, Miho has been a steadfast support, handling the care of their three children and adapting to new circumstances. Gene’s involvement in adaptive sports and participation in the Warrior Games highlight their resilience. Their story underscores the importance of support systems, like Fort Campbell’s Family Resource Group, and the strength found within military families... MORE

The Calantoc Family after the powerlifting competition at the 2024 Department of Defense Warrior Games

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