|
WASHINGTON D.C. (April 15, 2008) - Wounded veterans who once
enjoyed sports and being outdoors have the opportunity once again,
courtesy of a program in Alabama.
"Lakeshore Foundation's 'Lima Foxtrot Programs for Injured
Military' help servicemen and women adapt sports and recreation
activities so they may get back to living healthy, active,
independent lives," said Susan Katz, the foundation's
communications coordinator. "These programs are open to military
personnel who have sustained severe service-related injuries in
recent warfare in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations in the
world."
For more than 20 years, the Lakeshore Foundation has worked to
enable people with physical disability and chronic health
conditions to lead healthy, active and independent lifestyles
through physical activity. It offers its clients a chance to
participate in outdoor activities such as water skiing, canoeing,
kayaking, rock climbing, scuba diving and shooting sports, to name
a few.
"Participants generally have injuries that include amputation,
spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment or
blindness, burns, or other severe orthopedic injuries," Katz
said.
The recently created Lima Foxtrot Programs are specifically for
wounded veterans. Composed of different "operations," the programs
offer injured servicemembers the opportunity to get back to
nature.
"Our signature event, Operation Rise and Conquer, is a four-day
outdoor adventure experience held each fall that is open to
servicemen and women with a variety of physically disabling
conditions," Katz said.
Injured servicemembers and one guest also may take part in
Operation Night Vision and Operation X-Sports. The first is for
those suffering vision impairment. The second is for servicemembers
who want to push the limits and try a variety of extreme
sports.
Operation Endurance, the fourth Lima Foxtrot program, focuses on
providing injured servicemembers from Alabama with a daily fitness
program.
"All programs are provided at absolutely no cost to the
servicemen and women, and each participant is allowed to have one
guest attend at no cost as well," Katz said. "Lakeshore Foundation
covers the cost for all air and ground transportation, lodging,
meals and activities."
The foundation also recently became a supporter of America
Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and
companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home
and abroad.
"Lakeshore Foundation is pleased to [be affiliated] with America
Supports You, as we are hoping to raise the general awareness of
our Lima Foxtrot program on a national level," Katz said. "We hope
this helps build the credibility of the programs we are offering,
as well as helps us find and recruit injured servicemen and women
to participate."
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals,
groups and organizations that are helping support the troops,
visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America
Supports You directly connects military members to the support of
the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their
quest to find meaningful ways to support the military
community.
|
