MedStar National Rehabilitation Network - MedStar NRH Paralympic Military Program

Overview

MedStar National Rehabilitation Network (MedStar NRH) is working through a grant with the U.S. Paralympics and Department of Veterans Affairs to provide the Integrated Adapted Sports Program for Veterans. This program facilitates opportunities to enable disabled veterans to return to a healthy, active lifestyle through recreational programs and competitive sports in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore region.

The Integrated Adaptive Sports Program provides direct program delivery, partners with other organizations, and serves as a referral system to ensure disabled veterans have access to a wide variety of sports programs. Since its inception, the program has developed an adapted rowing program in Washington, D.C., and an archery program in Anne Arundel County, as well as a newly formed program at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Partnerships with other organizations have enabled the program to offer snow skiing, water skiing, kayaking, cycling, and more. In addition to the Integrated Adapted Sports Program for Veterans, the Paralympic Sport Club at MedStar NRH also offers cycling and wheelchair tennis, and has teams in sled hockey, wheelchair basketball, and quad rugby.

Impact

Adaptive sports have become an integral part of the reconditioning and integration process for our nation’s military. Programs are offered for individuals with all levels of skill ability. Program coaches provide instruction and skill development to those new to a sport, and those interested in competition to disabled athletes with Paralympic aspirations. Through each of the programs, opportunities for competition, both locally and regionally, are provided. Through exposure to sports, not only are they developing a healthy lifestyle and life skill, they are gaining confidence, as well as forming friendships and support that go far beyond sports.

Challenges/success factors

The Integrated Adaptive Sports Program for Veterans covers a large geographic region, from Washington, D.C., to north of Baltimore. One of the biggest challenges is finding the right individuals within each veteran service organization and the VA system to assist with sharing information so that veterans are aware of all that is available to them. Funding from the grant assisted in purchasing equipment, hiring a full-time regional coordinator and three program coaches, and sending veterans to regional competitions. Recognizing that one program cannot meet the needs of everyone, the program through MedStar NRH has developed numerous community partners as well as a resource directory to assist veterans in locating programs to meet their interests. The MedStar National Rehabilitation Network, with more than 30 outpatient sites located in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia, is a comprehensive care network that brings its expertise outside the hospital’s and outpatient network’s walls and into the community.

Future direction/sustainability

This program will continue to grow in size with programs offered throughout the region. Program leaders will continue to reach out to the many organizations that serve veterans and form referral partnerships to ensure that the needs of veterans are met.

Contact: Pamela Lehnert, CTRS
Telephone: 202-316-8623
E-mail: pamela.j.lehnert@medstar.net