Program Helps Veterans Overcome Problems Transitioning Back from Deployment
SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/17/2010)(readMedia)-- Many Soldiers and Airmen have sustained injuries, physical and mental, while serving overseas.
The physical and mental trauma servicemembers are exposed to can sometimes make it difficult for them to transition back to a normal home life. Because of this, agencies that support veterans have created programs to help wounded servicemembers develop a new social and fitness routine.
The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Chicago Park District and the Hines Veteran Affairs Hospital hosted the fourth annual Veterans Adaptive Activity Day Sept. 16 at the Hines VA Hospital in Hines, Ill.
The event provided veterans with disabilities the opportunity to learn about the various recreational and fitness programs available to them and to sample sports equipment that was built specifically for their needs.
"It is really amazing to look around and to see all these people from the community and from various organizations come together to fill in all the gaps and to make sure that any veteran that is wounded or disabled is taken care of," said Dan Grant of Springfield, Ill., Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
Grant is also an intergovernmental officer in the Illinois Army National Guard with Joint Forces Headquarters in Springfield, Ill.
The veterans were able to participate in adaptive sports demonstrations like, golf and wheelchair basketball, and attain information from regional adaptive sports and support services like, Diveheart Military Wounded and Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association.
"This is a great opportunity for us to link these community resources in the Greater Chicago Area and throughout the state with veterans who need them," said Grant.
