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Hearing Transcript on U.S. Paralympic Military Program.
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U.S. PARALYMPIC MILITARY PROGRAM
HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION MARCH 13, 2008 SERIAL No. 110-77 Printed for the use of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
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CORRINE BROWN, Florida |
STEVE BUYER, Indiana, Ranking |
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Malcom A. Shorter, Staff Director SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Pursuant to clause 2(e)(4) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, public hearing records of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs are also published in electronic form. The printed hearing record remains the official version. Because electronic submissions are used to prepare both printed and electronic versions of the hearing record, the process of converting between various electronic formats may introduce unintentional errors or omissions. Such occurrences are inherent in the current publication process and should diminish as the process is further refined. |
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C O N T E N T S
March 13, 2008
U.S. Paralympic Military Program
OPENING STATEMENTS
Chairwoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
Prepared statement of Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin
Hon. John Boozman, Ranking Republican Member
Prepared statement of Congressman Boozman
Hon. Sylvestre Reyes
WITNESSES
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Dan D. Scott, M.D., National Medical Director, National Veterans Wheelchair Games, Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Veterans Health Administration
Prepared statement of Dr. Scott
Disabled American Veterans, Adrian M. Atizado, Assistant National Legislative Director
Prepared statement of Mr. Atizado
Disabled Sports USA, Jose Ramos, El Paso, TX, on behalf of Kirk M. Bauer, J.D., Executive Director
Prepared statement of Mr. Ramos
Paralyzed Veterans of America, Andy Krieger, Director of Sports and Recreation
Prepared statement of Mr. Krieger
United States Olympic Committee, Charles Huebner, Chief of Paralympics
Prepared statement of Mr. Huebner
U.S. PARALYMPIC MILITARY PROGRAM
Thursday, March 13, 2008
U. S. House of Representatives,
Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity,
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington, DC.
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 1:10 p.m., in Room 334, Cannon House Office Building, Hon. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin [Chairman of the Subcommittee] presiding.
Present: Representatives Herseth Sandlin, and Boozman.
Also Present: Representative Reyes.
OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRWOMAN HERSETH SANDLIN
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. The Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity hearing on the U.S. Paralympic Military Program will now come to order.
Today's hearing will give the Subcommittee the opportunity to learn more about Paralympic programs and how they are assisting our servicemembers and our veterans to heal from the wounds of war.
The price of war is not paid by money alone, it is the servicemember that is called upon to serve on behalf of our country who pays the price. This is especially true for those that have made the ultimate sacrifice of life and injuries sustained while in service.
In my State of South Dakota, we have had at least 3,100 National Guard soldiers, 730 airmen and women from the Air National Guard, and countless others serving in active-duty components that have served in support of the Global War on Terror.
Twenty six of these servicemembers have lost their lives and many others have been wounded. I had the honor of meeting some of these wounded servicemembers from my home state of South Dakota, servicemembers such as Specialist Brian Knigge, a South Dakota National Guard soldier who served with Yankton's Battery C, 1st Battalion, 147th Field Artillery in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On May 8, 2006, Brian sustained injuries to his arm and leg that resulted from an improvised fired projectile. This soldier was later flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to be treated for his injuries and receive rehabilitative physical therapy.
We owe it to servicemembers like Specialist Knigge to provide them the best training and equipment to ensure they complete their mission successfully and provide post-military services to help them live a healthy and active lifestyle in their civilian life.
Most of my colleagues would agree that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides world-class care to our injured servicemembers and veterans.
Knowing this, I would like to explore ways for the VA to continue to play a key role in the Paralympic Military Program to help this population through a difficult transition in their lives. All veterans should be afforded an opportunity to have a rewarding and fulfilling life after their service to our country.
I look forward to working with our distinguished Ranking Member, Mr. Boozman, and Members of this Subcommittee to explore how rehabilitation programs assist our servicemembers and veterans to recover from their injuries.
I now recognize Mr. Boozman for his opening remarks.
[The statement of Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin appears in the Appendix.]
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN BOOZMAN
Mr. BOOZMAN. Thank you, Madam Chair. Today's hearing topic is a little bit unusual, not quite ordinary for us. But it is something I have really been looking forward to and listening to some very interesting testimony. So we really do appreciate you guys being here.
Everyone is aware of the upcoming Olympics in Beijing, China. What most of us are not aware of is that shortly after the Olympic games conclude, a very special brand of athlete will compete on the same venues recently used by our Olympic team.
These special athletes are those who have lost limbs or have other disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries, that qualify them for the United States Paralympic Team.
The Paralympics originally began as a program to assist wounded veterans in 1948 when German neurologist Sir Ludwig Guttmann created an athletic competition in England for World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries. By 1960, the Paralympic Games officially began in Rome, providing Olympic-style athletic events for disabled athletes. In 1976, the Paralympic Winter Games were introduced.
Today, the Paralympics are held the same year and in the same location as the Olympic games and feature elite, international competition in 19 different sports.
In the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, 3,806 athletes from 136 different countries competed. Returning to the disabled veteran routes of the Paralympics, the United States Paralympic Committee has formed a military program, which provides mentoring and support to injured servicemen and women by reintroducing them to sports with adaptive techniques that fit their lifestyles.
By the 2012 Paralympic Games, some estimate that veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) could comprise up to 15 percent of the U.S. Paralympic Team.
Our witnesses will raise some interesting points about the importance of sports and rehabilitation. I am eager to hear about the progress made to use sports at all levels to advance the rehabilitation of disabled veterans.
I am also concerned about an issue raised by Mr. Imus that VA is considering revising a regulation to reclassify hand cycles as wheelchairs, and hope that Dr. Scott from the VA will address that issue.
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
[The prepared statement of Congressman Boozman appears in the Appendix.]
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Thank you, Mr. Boozman.
I would like to welcome the witnesses on both of our panels testifying before this Subcommittee today. I would like to remind all our panelists that your complete written statements have been made part of the hearing record. Please limit your remarks so that we may have sufficient time to follow up with questions once everyone has had the opportunity to provide their testimony.
Joining us in our first panel is Mr. Andy Krieger, Director of Sports and Recreation for the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA); Adrian Atizado, Assistant National Legislative Director for the Disabled American Veterans (DVA); and Mr. Jose Ramos, a veteran from El Paso, Texas, who is accompanied by Ms. Julia Ray, Manager of the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project for Disabled Sports USA (SD/USA).
If you could all join us at the witness table. As you are making your way up, I would also like to welcome the distinguished Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Silvestre Reyes of El Paso, Texas.
As some of you might know, Chairman Reyes served in the United States Army as a helicopter crewmen in Vietnam. Several of us had the pleasure of working with Chairman Reyes when he was a Member of our full Committee.
We understand that you have a demanding schedule today, Mr. Chairman, so we would like to give you the opportunity now to introduce your constituent, Mr. Ramos, at this time.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. SILVESTRE REYES
Mr. REYES. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman and Ranking Member Boozman. I guess I need to—in fairness of disclosure, I am still a Member of this Committee. I am just on a leave of absence while I have this great privilege of being the Chairman of the Intelligence Committee. So for me it is like coming home. And I appreciate the opportunity to be here this morning, to introduce to the Subcommittee an outstanding young man, and one that I think will provide some very poignant testimony about the subject of this hearing.
And thank you for holding this hearing, because I think it is readily important that more people knowingly understand the kinds of programs that are so important to our wounded young men and women coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan.
I am proud to be here with my constituent, who appropriately is a student at George Mason University. They are known as the Patriots. So I can think of no better example of a patriot than this young man, although there are so many of them, some of which joined us this morning at the ceremony at the Capitol.
I wanted to let the Committee know that Jose Ramos is a native El Pasoan. He was assigned to a Marine unit during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On July 28th, 2004, Jose suffered a life-threatening injury when he was hit with a rocket from a shoulder-fired weapon.
And we are very fortunate that this young man was not a casualty of war in the sense that he made the ultimate sacrifice. But because of the type of weapon that he encountered, it took first-class medical care and treatment to help Jose survive his injuries.
Although he has lost his left arm as a result of injury, this young man, I think, represents the spark that drives so many of our wounded warriors where even after the loss of a limb or limbs, looming in the case of Jose, this did not diminish his spirit, or his passion, or set him back in any way.
He applied himself. While he was being treated for his wounds, he participated in the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project. As a result of his dedication, and his training, and discipline, he has demonstrated an impressive athletic ability, which I suspect he already possessed. Knowing also that he graduated from Montwood High School in El Paso. And their mascot is the Rams. I don't see any scars on his forehead, so he must have had the better deal of all those encounters as well.
And we are just very proud of this young man and the fact that he comes from El Paso. The fact that he is pursing a degree in international affairs with a minor in languages. I have had an opportunity to talk to Jose.
He comes from a pretty dynamic family. He has a sister that is living in Australia, another one that is living Mexico City, and a brother who lives in San Antonio. His mom and dad still live in El Paso. And as such, are constituents of mine. And I know how proud they are of Jose.
Thank you for the courtesy of allowing me to introduce this outstanding young man to the Subcommittee.
And I appreciate, again, the fact that the Committee continues to do very outstanding work and working towards providing opportunities and very much-deserved and well-earned benefits to our warriors.
And I look forward to coming back to the Committee in the future. Thank you.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Well thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is an honor for us to have you as our guest here today. While we look forward to welcoming you back after your leave of absence, we certainly appreciate your hard work and leadership as Chairman of the Intelligence Committee.
We appreciate the laudatory remarks regarding Mr. Ramos, and the relationship that you have with him and his family. We look forward to his testimony today, as we all work together to ensure the best for our Nation's servicemen and women and veterans.
Mr. Chairman, thank you, again, very much.
Mr. REYES. Thank you. And I just would ask you to excuse me. I came here from my own hearing.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Yes.
Mr. REYES. But I did not want to pass up the opportunity to recognize an outstanding young man like Mr. Ramos.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Most certainly. Thank you.
Mr. REYES. Thank you.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. A point of personal privilege. When I first came to the Congress almost four years ago, Mr. Reyes was very accommodating to ensure that I had a position on this Committee. Thank you for that as well.
Again, we know you have another hearing to get to. We will look forward to reporting back to you on how well we know Mr. Ramos will do today in his testimony. Thank you.
Mr. Krieger, why don't we begin with you. You will be recognized for five minutes. Again, your entire written statement has been made part of the hearing record.
STATEMENTS OF ANDY KRIEGER, DIRECTOR OF SPORTS AND RECREATION, PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA; ADRIAN M. ATIZADO, ASSISTANT NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR, DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS; AND JOSE RAMOS, EL PASO, TX (VETERAN), ON BEHALF OF KIRK M. BAUER, J.D., EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DISABLED SPORTS USA; ACCOMPANIED BY JULIA RAY, MANAGER, WOUNDED WARRIOR DISABLED SPORTS PROJECT, DISABLED SPORTS USA
Mr. KRIEGER. Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin, Ranking Member Boozman, and Members of the Subcommittee, I am pleased to be here today on behalf of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) to offer our views on rehabilitation through sports and recreation for severely injured servicemembers and veterans.
Since its inception in 1946, PVA has recognized the important role that sports and recreation play in the spinal cord injury rehabilitation process.
In fact, it was paralyzed veterans during World War II who first started playing pick-up games of wheelchair basketball in VA hospitals. Doctors quickly realized the significance of these types of activities and the powerful therapeutic benefits on the physical, mental, and social levels that could be derived from participating in wheelchair sports.
PVA sponsors a wide array of sports and recreation events to improve the quality of life and health of veterans with severe disabilities. Most notable of these activities is the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which PVA has cosponsored with the Department of Veterans Affairs for the last 23 years.
PVA also runs a number of other sports and recreation programs meant to get severely disabled veterans involved, including the National Bass Fishing Tour and the National Trap Shoot Circuit to name just a few.
In the past five years, PVA has conducted significant outreach at the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and VA hospitals to make its sports and recreation programs available to recently injured Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans.
In fact, PVA was recognized just last year by the staff at Walter Reed for our important work with the men and women being treated at that facility.
The mission of PVA's sports and recreation program is to expand the quantity and quality of sports and recreation opportunities, especially those that promote lifetime fitness and a healthy lifestyle for PVA members and others with disabilities.
Although elite competition has its place in a comprehensive sports and recreation program, PVA's primary goal for its sports and recreation program is all about healthcare and rehabilitation first, something that we do not believe is the ultimate focus of elite athletics.
As far as expanding veteran participation in the various sports and recreation programs administered by the VA, we would like to offer a few recommendations.
First, it is critically important to remove barriers to participation. In order to further facilitate seamless transition, newly injured veterans should be provided timely access to education and training regarding sports and recreation opportunities. One such educational material would be PVA Sports and Spokes Magazine, the Sports Illustrated for Disabled Sports, which was handed out recently to all of you I hope.
Furthermore, the VA and DoD should facilitate outreach efforts of legitimate organizations promoting sports and recreation opportunities by improving their access to newly injured veterans.
We also believe the VA should develop and implement a broad-based, comprehensive program that appeals to all veterans, especially our newly injured veterans who are more inclined to participate in non-traditional sports activities.
For example, we have found that a number of these men and women would rather participate in activities like fishing and hunting, as opposed to a more traditional sport like wheelchair basketball.
Furthermore, the VA should develop and implement a standardized curriculum for recreation therapy to support VA national programs and special events. We do not believe that VA recreation therapy programs are consistent across the board. This new emphasis will provide the training and awareness on the local levels to support these programs and maximize their benefits.
I would like to thank you again for the opportunity to testify. And I would be happy to answer any questions that you might have.
[The statement of Mr. Krieger appears in the Appendix.]
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Thank you very much, Mr. Krieger. Mr. Atizado, you are now recognized for five minutes.
STATEMENT OF ADRIAN M. ATIZADO
Mr. ATIZADO. Ms. Chairwoman, Ranking Member Boozman, I thank you for inviting the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), an organization of 1.3 million service-disabled veterans, to discuss at this important hearing disability rehabilitation through sports.
We appreciate the opportunity to share our experience with the Winter Sports Clinic. The clinic is the largest annual disabled learn-to-ski clinic in the world. And it is a rehabilitation program first and foremost.
It is open to servicemembers and veterans with spinal cord injuries, amputations, visual impairments, traumatic brain injury, certain neurological problems, and other disabilities.
Now just a few years after the first Winter Sports Clinic was held in 1987, with about 20 staff members and 90 veterans, it became apparent to our organization that more support was needed due to the therapeutic benefits and the popularity of the clinic. The DAV answered that, and has become a cosponsor with the Department of Veterans Affairs of the event since 1991.
The clinic has grown tremendously over the past 20 years. In fact, last year more than 360 participants, including 82 injured OEF/OIF servicemembers and veterans, attended from across the country along with 200 certified disabled ski instructors and several members of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team.
It is expected there will be more than 450 disabled veterans, including—at least nearly 120 OEF/OIF servicemembers and veterans who will ski the Rocky Mountains this year, actually at the end of this month, out of Snowmass Village, Colorado.
Skiing with adaptive ski equipment is integrated with other exploratory activities, rock climbing, scuba diving, trap shooting, horseback riding, snowmobiling, golf, just to name a few.
In fact, the U.S. Secret Service also teaches self-defense courses to participants who are in wheelchairs or are visually impaired.
In addition, the clinic holds a race training and development program to help veterans develop their skills in skiing to an elite level. The ultimate goal of this training and development program is to qualify for the U.S. Paralympic Team. Several participants who learned to ski at that clinic are now members of the U.S. team.
I invite you to view the 2007 National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic DVD. It is available to everybody in the public as well as the Members of this Committee. While it does not do justice to what can only be described on miracles on a mountainside, it does give you a sense of the profound impact this program has, not only on the participants, but on the volunteers themselves.
Some of these veterans have never skied before. Most have spent months in hospitals and convinced that their lives are over. And a great many have been told that they would never walk again.
Every year since 1992, our organization has given DAV Freedom Award to the veteran who makes the most progress during the week, shows outstanding courage and accomplishments in taking a giant step forward in his or her journey of rehabilitation.
Last year's recipient was Jason Poole. He was a Marine infantryman on patrol in Iraq when he was injured by an improvised explosive device. Madam Chairwoman, he placed himself in harm's way for our Nation before even being fully vested as a citizen of this country. After two months of being in a coma, Jason woke up. He was blind in his left eye, deaf in his left ear, and suffered from traumatic brain injury where he couldn't talk, speak, or even walk. He received his topnotch care at the VA Poly Trauma Center at Palo Alto, California.
And he progressed enough to where he could actually participate in his first Winter Sports Clinic. And this was in 2006. He went back and encouraged his friends, his OIF/OEF servicemembers and veterans in Palo Alto to come with him. And they did go to the 2007 Winter Sports Clinic in which he won the DAV Freedom Award.
The Winter Sports Clinic itself capitalizes on rehabilitation through sports and foster in each participant the extrinsic motivation of excitement and camaraderie. But more importantly, it fosters the intrinsic motivation in each participant to find their strength of purpose and achieve miracles on a mountainside.
Madam Chairwoman, these participants learn and are proof positive that empowerment allows them to determine their own fate. In this we wholeheartedly support as an organization. This concludes my statement. I thank you for this opportunity and would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
[The statement of Mr. Atizado appears in the Appendix. The video presentation entitled, "2007 National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic DVD," is being retained in the Committee files.]
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Thank you very much. Mr. Ramos, welcome to the Subcommittee. We look forward to your testimony. You are recognized for five minutes.
Mr. RAMOS. Mrs. Chairman, Ranking Member Boozman, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to present today. I would also like to thank my Representative, Congressman Reyes for such an honoring introduction.
It is an honor to speak to you today on behalf of Kirk Bauer, Disabled Sports USA, and the Wounded Warrior Disabled Project. As a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, Disabled Sports USA was established in 1967 to serve the war injured and later civilian, youth, and adults with disabilities.
DS/USA now has 92 community-based sports chapters operating in 37 states, offering over 20 different year-round sports programs.
For the past five years, Disabled Sports USA in partnership with its chapters and Wounded Warrior Project, has conducted the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Program or Project.
Under the program, severely wounded servicemembers are provided the opportunity to learn over 20 different sports as part of their rehabilitation, while in the hospital and while they return to their communities.
Over 1,600 wounded family members and servicemembers have been served. Disabled Sports USA endorses the Veterans Administration's support of the Winter Sports Clinic and the PVA Summer Wheelchair Games as top sport events to help disabled veterans become active and competitive. It endorses Paralympic sports festivals for disabled veterans and active duty military at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
There are, however, a few changes that we recommend are made. Disabled Sports USA recommends that the VA consider expanding support programming, to include recreational activities in and near the communities where the disabled veterans live.
The focus should be directed to providing activity, healthy recreational activities for disabled veterans, with less emphasis on competitive Paralympic sports. By expanding its sports programs to include activities that are recreational in nature and close to home, the VA will better serve disabled veterans, promote fitness, and provide a healthy lifestyle, leading to success in life.
These sports programs are already in existence through Disabled Sports USA chapters, Wheelchair Sports USA, U.S. Association of Blind Athletes, and others. All are members of the U.S. Olympics Committee and should be partnered with to offer community programs to veterans.
Support should be offered by the U.S. Paralympic and the VA to capitalize and expand this existing structure. Studies have shown that 70 percent of our most severe illness, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity, and certain cancers are due to lack of regular exercise and poor eating habits. Maintaining regular physical activity and better eating habits, will reduce these diseases in veterans and reduce health costs for the veterans organizations.
I know from personal experience how important it is to be physically active, both during and after rehabilitation. I don't believe that my recovery would have been as successful without such programs.
In addition, with severe illnesses stated earlier, as an amputee I face an additional challenge. If my weight fluctuates ten pounds either way, I have to be refitted for a new prosthetic. This is not only time consuming, but it can also add to the expenses that the VA faces now.
Once again, I want to thank this Subcommittee for the support and dedication. And I would be willing to answer any questions you may have. Thank you.
[The statement of Mr. Ramos appears in the Appendix.]
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Thank you very much, Mr. Ramos.
Well let me just start out with a question, both for Mr. Krieger and Mr. Atizado, in terms of your co-sponsorship of these programs that you have discussed. Both the Winter Sports Clinic as well as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, along with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Mr. Atizado, how many total sponsors are there for the Winter Sports Clinic?
Mr. ATIZADO. Madam Chairwoman, I believe the total sponsorship actually hit an all-time high for this upcoming event. I think there was about 75 corporate sponsorship. But there are individual donors as well that aren't—I am including that number.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. That aren't included? So 75—
Mr. ATIZADO. Corporate sponsors.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. —corporate and then individuals. Okay.
Mr. ATIZADO. I believe so, yes.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Mr. Krieger, what does that entail for PVA to be a cosponsor with the Department of Veterans Affairs for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games?
Mr. KRIEGER. The Wheelchair Games started in 1981 as a program of the VA. In 1985, PVA was asked to join in a partnership with them, due to the fact that we had an expertise in wheelchair sports programs. Also we could come—we could bring to the table a professional development department that could cultivate and solicit a host of sponsors that would help to pay for this event, which currently is anywhere close to $400,000 from the VA side and PVA side alike.
So it is nearly a $1 million program that is held on an annual basis. So there are considerable funds that go into it that need to be raised and contributed both from the VA and the PVA side.
In addition to that, I just want to add real quickly, is that over 80 percent of the participants are PVA members. So those are all spinal cord injured military veterans that participate in this event.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. You had mentioned in your testimony, both written and verbal today, the issue of your outreach efforts and talking about the need to improve access for outreach to injured servicemembers.
Has the PVA at any time over the last five years met any resistance in their outreach efforts, either at DoD or VA hospitals and facilities?
Mr. KRIEGER. No, not at all. I think PVA is an established organization. I think the VA and DoD recognized that. I have seen where some organizations that have—may have not been around so long—are also asking for those injured servicemen and women to participate in their programs that may have developed more recently than ours.
So we have been recognized for our good work. And they know what we have to offer those injured troops. But that doesn't mean they could go further to, you know, establish a process to be able to welcome legitimate organizations into the rehab process. They are being hit up so hard right now from competing organizations and agencies and groups that want to associate themselves with injured men—servicemen and women.
So they have to be hesitant to who they let have that access. But PVA hasn't experienced that.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. You had mentioned in your testimony, Mr. Krieger, and then, Mr. Ramos, the issue of different types of recreational activities and where they are located to be able to be accessed by folks more readily.
You had specifically mentioned, Mr. Krieger, hunting and fishing. I don't know if that is something that any of you would like to comment on. Mr. Ramos, in your testimony, if that is something that either you or others that you have interacted with over the last few years have expressed a particular interest in certain types of activities that they feel as readily able to access now.
I would be interested in hunting and fishing and the sort of sportsmen and women who are out there looking for those opportunities. And whether or not you are familiar with organizations that are trying to facilitate more opportunities either for those types of activities or others that weren't mentioned yet?
Mr. KRIEGER. I thought you might appreciate the hunting and fishing aspect of it. But, no, it is true. Things have changed. I mean there have been disabled sports around for a very long time. Wheelchair basketball was the first and most popular.
But times have changed. And the demographics that today's servicemen and women have, you know, are different. And they have an interest in hunting and shooting programs. And I think we have to be flexible to accommodate the needs of all the injured troops that are coming back.
And we have adjusted our programming accordingly to the needs of our members. And the suggestion is that in order to facilitate the rehab process, you have to have a program in place in an event or an activity that appeals to everybody. So it doesn't matter if it is ping-pong, or deer hunting, bass fishing, or whatever.
You have to have something that appeals to that person to get them out there, to participate in the event, and from there, the therapeutic benefits come to them.
Mr. RAMOS. I would like to add that not only has it been my experience but from the experience of the Wounded Warrior Disabled Project, that servicemembers of this generation are leaning more towards what you would consider extreme sports, scuba diving, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, wakeboarding, snowboarding, kayaking, hunting, and fishing. There are programs now that offer that. But it is not something that is offered through the VA or the U.S. Paralympic Committee obviously.
These are the sports that are not only physically challenging to do, hiking up a hill to go hunt, it can be strenuous for an amputee, but they also promote a healthier lifestyle, so you can be able to get out there and do that now.
Just a quick example, from the beginning of the scuba diving program that they started at Walter Reed, within the first couple of months, we have had over 50 participants go through the program and certify as scuba divers. And it is actually one of the fastest growing programs that they have now.
For anyone that has been scuba diving, you know that that takes a lot of effort to do, especially for someone missing a leg or an arm.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Thank you very much. I am out of time. I may come back for another question or two. Before recognizing Mr. Boozman, I think he agrees.
We sometimes hear, whether it is in testimony here at this Subcommittee, the full Committee, or when we are back in our districts, this whole kind of concept of each generation of servicemembers and veterans are slightly different in terms of how the VA adapts to best meet their needs.
I think you use that exact language in terms of what this generation may be looking for and how they have been socialized to seek out different recreational activities. I appreciate both your responses very much.
Mr. Boozman?
Mr. BOOZMAN. Thank you, Madam Chair. Well it is encouraging that you can tell us about Walter Reed actually providing that course, in the sense that is not something that I was aware of. But those are the kind of things that we really do like to hear about.
What sports have you been active in? What do you aspire to be better at? The Professional Golf Association has been very helpful in wanting to lend its expertise with instruction and equipment.
And I was telling one of my buddies here that they were doing this. And he said, yeah, that he had been frustrated. That he placed and he had played with a person who was legally blind. And the guy just beat him like a drum. So it is amazing that with learning different techniques, what one can accomplish, which is really what we are hearing about today.
But tell us what you would like today?
Mr. RAMOS. Well, sir, myself personally, I have been involved more with the extreme sports. I have done snow boarding, cycling, rock climbing, scuba diving. I used to be an avid rock climber and scuba diver prior to my injury. But I still do participate in traditional sports as cycling, and running, and swimming.
Due to the nature of my injury, I need to keep my core stronger just to keep my body in line. But I guess as I stated earlier is we are looking for more than just the types of sports that the Paralympic Organization or Committee or you can compete in.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Right.
Mr. RAMOS. Not many veterans are interested in sitting there and lifting weights or—
Mr. BOOZMAN. Right.
Mr. RAMOS. —things of that nature. We are more–
Mr. BOOZMAN. I think in your testimony, Mr. Ramos, and you are here with Ms. Ray, that you had 20 sports that you offered in your program. What are the top five or six most popular to the people that are out there?
Mr. RAMOS. I think Ms. Ray can answer more to that. But from my personal experience, I think skiing and snowboarding is probably one of the top most demanded sports. Scuba diving has been as well. And more snowboarding and things of that nature that we do are starting to pick up steam as we—
Mr. BOOZMAN. What about for non-athletic guys like Mike and I?
Mr. RAMOS. Well—
[Laughter.]
Mr. BOOZMAN. Go ahead.
Mr. RAMOS. —they are partnered up with golf as well. And I think that is something that the more non-athletic guys like to do is go out there and hit a couple of golf balls. But I am sure Ms. Ray can answer that a little better than I can.
Ms. RAY. Mr. Ramos is exactly right. We have offered a very successful golf program in partnership with the PGA. And he mentioned about the scuba diving, snow boarding, skiing. Extreme sports are very popular.
We are about to take a group down to do the Bataan Death March at the end of this month, which involves hiking 26 miles in the White Sands Missile Range.
So certainly we are noticing this younger generation being very proactive in demanding what types of things they like to see. We usually ask them to complete an evaluation after every activity. They tell us what they want to do. And that is how we have formulated these sports that we offer.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Very good. I think Mr. Krieger mentioned that you felt like there was some inconsistency with the VA recreation programs throughout the country.
Are the rest of you experiencing that also? Do you all agree with that?
Ms. RAY. Oh, sorry.
Mr. BOOZMAN. I am sorry.
Ms. RAY. Sorry, could you repeat the question?
Mr. BOOZMAN. He mentioned that there was inconsistency in the VA recreation programs throughout the country. Do you all agree that you see inconsistency also with the quality of the programs that are out there?
Ms. RAY. Yeah. I would say so. What we are seeing is a need for there to be more offered at the community level. The PVA Summer Games and the DAV Winter Games are both very high-quality events. But we think there is more of a need for ongoing community programs throughout the year.
And so that is what we are suggesting through our testimony is that there is a need through all these organizations that performing these programs to do more ongoing work, rather than just the big flagship events.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Do you agree with that? Does DAV also agree with that or—
Mr. ATIZADO. Well, Ranking Member Boozman, we—there is some variability. It really depends on who the servicemember gets in touch with at the local facility. There is some variability with them.
But once the servicemember identifies a sport or has identified the equipment that he or she needs, I think the prosthetics and the department in VA has been very—supportive is not the word. Has been very accommodating. They have actually met with wounded servicemembers from Walter Reed in a panel-like setting and on a semi-regular basis in fact. And they are trying to work pretty aggressively, because we have been involved in that panel with addressing what, obviously, Mr. Ramos here has talked about, which is the extreme sports.
You know, hand wheels, and sports wheelchairs, and snowboards, and mono-skis, and things of that nature are not very—I mean it is expensive enough to get involved in sports. But these are specialized equipment. So there is a price tag that is involved.
I think Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin had mentioned an issue with regards to access. I think the issue is more with regard to barriers, and identifying those barriers, and taking them away. And I think VA, through these panels, are trying to do that.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Good. Thank you very much. I appreciate all of you being here. The work that you are doing is so important. I think it goes so in hand with the medical rehabilitation. Getting people where they are interested in something else, pursuing a goal. And then along with that is getting the meaningful employment. It makes so much difference down the line and prevents so many other problems. And whatever cost there is in getting the equipment that we need is going to be made up for many times in the future with preventing problems.
So, again, thank you very much for what you are doing. Like I said, it is an important mission. Something you can be very proud of. Thank you.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Thank you, Mr. Boozman. I have a couple of follow-up questions. This whole idea of enhancing community opportunities, the programs at the community level on an ongoing basis throughout the year. In your experience either Mr. Ramos or Ms. Ray, if you would like to respond, what is the best model to use to try to develop something like that? Assuming for the time being, we had some resources to expend here to make this available to as many disabled veterans as possible, who should take the lead? Should this be something that the VA takes the lead in its outreach, because they are able to identify where that injured servicemember or veteran may be, and then coordinate with the local chapters, either of DAV or PVA? Is this something that you think already has been and will continue to be better handled by local organization, perhaps VSOs, or other groups that are supportive of the particular injured veteran, disabled veteran, and his or her family in that community? And then the VA would come in later to supplement, through some resources?
This relates to a question that I wanted to pose to you, Mr. Krieger. In terms of whether or not your organization has identified an overall level of funding that may be necessary, if indeed, if we were able to have a separate line-item appropriation for sports and recreational activities and development for disabled veterans?
Mr. KRIEGER. First of all, I believe that when you are talking about a seamless transition, it is important to have timely access. And in terms of PVA, that is—what I can speak to is that when there is a situation, our veterans benefits officers are in the hospitals to identify those people that are eligible for PVA membership.
At that time, hopefully we can get with them to set up a schedule of rehabilitation programming and all their benefits. So if, in fact though, if we are not able to be—identify and they get shipped out to the local VA hospitals, there is a gap in service there.
So what we are suggesting is that as soon as this—as soon as this process start, the organizations—PVA are notified, so we can start providing the necessary treatment, and get the benefits, and the recreation programs established in order to prevent these people from falling through the cracks and going home.
And then, you know, getting into the situation where they may be involved in drugs or alcohol, or feeling sorry for themselves, depression, or whatever. It is critically important that they be introduced to some sort of sports and recreation so they can experience and achieve a level of success and confidence that will carry through to help them mainstream into normal life.
So that is how we see the role of sports and recreation at that level and when it needs to be introduced.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Thank you. Ms. Ray?
Ms. RAY. Yeah. I would just like to add to Mr. Krieger's comments. I can speak to, as far as what Disabled Sports USA, and we would—we have been working with the major military medical centers, like Walter Reed and Brooke Army Medical Center, since 2003. And actively get servicemembers signed up to the programs through that outreach.
Once they are finished with their rehab inside the hospital, they then return home. At which point we plug them into our chapters, which are located throughout the United States or other disabled sports organization, depending on what that individual veteran is interested in doing.
So, like Mr. Krieger said, it is very important that we don't lose touch once they do return home. And we feel very proud that we haven't done that at all over the five years. And we have been very successful in integrating Wounded Warriors into their home communities and various disabled sports organization within that.
So that is just what I wanted to say. Thank you.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Thank you. Mr. Atizado, what kind of follow up occurs for the folks that participate in the Winter Sports Clinic? You identified someone in your testimony who participated in 2006 and received the Freedom Award when he came back and brought some other folks with him in 2007. During that time, was there follow up directly by folks affiliated with the program with him throughout the year?
Mr. ATIZADO. I am not that intimately familiar with the program outside the actual six-day event. I do know that VA is very good at taking very keen steps to ensure that the veterans that go through it, and the active servicemembers that go through the—to the Winter Sports Clinic, are followed up upon.
In fact, I know in the six-day event, the schedule is so jam packed that they have to shepherd them from one event to the next, because, I mean, first and foremost it is a rehabilitative event. I understand there are bands. And there are a lot of entertainment. But it is to rehabilitate themselves from their disabilities.
But my—I was struck by what you—what was talked about earlier by this panel, as well as by the Committee, is the idea of who should take lead on at the community level.
I can't speak intelligently about it. But I can tell you that when I was rehabilitating, this was a while back, I had to choose a sport that was available to me. In other words, I couldn't just jump on a ski, because of my disabilities. It ended up having to either be swimming or cycling.
And I think what helped—what held me back in being able to get involved with sports was I was in school. I had no money. If, in fact, this was a rehabilitative program available to me at the time through the VA, I am sure I would have gotten involved with it much sooner and wouldn't be—I would probably be in better shape than I am now.
But it is an interesting question. I sure would like to see what the next panel would say about the whole access at the community level.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Thank you. I appreciate that insight, because whether we are talking about rehabilitative services—even a round table I had just two weeks ago with some OIF/OEF veterans as it related to education benefits, and they proactively brought up the issue of post traumatic stress disorder. One of the things they said is once you even overcome the avoidance issues, we may have to seek the counseling. We are in school full time, or we are working full time.
And, to try to have some flexibility, to try to work in, and be available either for the individual sessions or more group sessions. I think that that is a very good point you make in terms of identifying the barriers as well.
Whether it is the sports that are available or that timely access that Mr. Krieger talked about through the VA and the partnerships that they have effectively developed. But also ensuring that we are giving the VA what they need to make maximum use out of these partnerships to ensure the seamless transition that Mr. Krieger mentioned.
I appreciate the comments and the responses.
Mr. Boozman, do you have anything further?
Mr. BOOZMAN. No thank you, Madam Chair. I think that we should send Juan and Mike though to accompany them on the 26-mile march.
[Laughter.]
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. I am glad you volunteered them and not the two of us.
Mr. BOOZMAN. Thank you all very much for all that you do.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Thank you. we appreciate your service to the country, and service to fellow veterans, and your insights today. We appreciate it very much.
Joining us on our second panel is Mr. Charles Huebner, Chief of U.S. Paralympics for the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC); and Dr. Dan Scott of the Physical and Rehabilitation Service, the Denver VA Medical Center, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Gentleman we appreciate it that you are with us. Again, your written statements have been made a part of the hearing record. We know that we have part of the presentation in a video presentation. I think you are going to offer some initial opening comments before we move to that.
To make sure, why don't we start with Dr. Scott, because I think it is Mr. Huebner, you have the video portion. Rather than coming back, we will start with Dr. Scott for his opening statement. Then we will recognize Mr. Huebner.
Dr. Scott, you are recognized for five minutes.
STATEMENTS OF DAN D. SCOTT, M.D., NATIONAL MEDICAL DIRECTOR, NATIONAL VETERANS WHEELCHAIR GAMES, VETERANS AFFAIRS EASTERN COLORADO HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS; AND CHARLES HUEBNER, CHIEF OF PARALYMPICS, UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
STATEMENT OF DAN D. SCOTT, M.D.
Dr. SCOTT. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman and Ranking Member Boozman. I am here today to give a presentation on rehabilitation through sports.
There are four sporting events that the VA offers. And my written testimony has been submitted. I would request—I am going to do a PowerPoint presentation so you can see some pictures from the various events.
And I would like you to give me just a little bit more time, so I can finish this presentation. It is going to be a little more than five minutes.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. I think Mr. Huebner's will be as well. Please try to keep it within about eight to ten at the most.
Dr. SCOTT. I can certainly do that.
Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Okay. All right, thanks.
Dr. SCOTT. Thank you. The objectives today are to give you an overview of the four national rehabilitation events. Rehabilitation is a process by which an individual is restored to maximum independence and maximum function.
The first event that I am going to talk about is the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. It was established in 1981. And PVA, as you heard earlier, joined us a cosponsor in 1985.
This event is dedicated to rehabilitating individuals through competition and sports. On an average, 25 percent of these individuals have never participated in a wheelchair sporting event. So they are brand new, novice athletes. This is considered the largest annual wheelchair sporting event in the world.
There are 17 medal events and one exhibition event, which offers the opportunity for people to experience new competitions as has been mentioned before. There are over 500 athletes that participate in the Summer Wheelchair Games each year.
Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and amputees, and other neurologic disabilities, both static and progressive, such as multiple sclerosis. All branches of service are involved and veterans from World War II through the current conflicts of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Each year a new VA facility hosts these games. And this gives us an opportunity to have community involvement, as well as to have individuals from each VA hospital learn about rehabilitation and their mission and rededicate themselves to this mission of rehabilitation for veterans.
These games started out in 1981 with 74 veterans. And in 2007, we had 513 veterans in Milwaukee. Each year at the end of the games, they offer a Spirit of the Games Award, which is given by the athletes to the person who epitomizes the spirit of those games.
I am going to show you some pictures now of the various events.
[Slides shown.]
Dr. SCOTT. One of the events is nine ball. This gentleman is using his prosthetic limb to stabilize the pool cue to play pool.
Air guns is a very popular event. Both of these gentlemen have a spinal cord injury. One is a paraplegic and one is a quadriplegic. An opportunity to shoot—as I mentioned before, they are interested in hunting and fishing. Archery is a very popular event, both men and women, old and young. This gentlemen is stabilizing his bow with his prosthetic limb to shoot the arrows.
Basketball is another popular event as you have heard. It is a very traditional event. Tall is better as you see. This fellow here is a tall fellow. You can't jump from these chairs. So he has got an advantage over all of his colleagues.
The teams are made up of novices and experienced athletes so that there is no unfair competition here. Both men and women participate in the basketball event as well.
There is bowling and ramp bowling. Ramp bowling is for individuals who can't grip—who can't grip the ball. They actually roll the ball down a ramp here toward the pins.
Curling was the exhibition event in Milwaukee. It is a great event for those in the Midwest. They know it very well. The rest of us don't know it.
The field events were held on Lake Michigan. You see it is shot put, javelin, and discus. It was a great day out by Lake Michigan. Hand cycling is a great way to provide upper-extremity-aerobic exercise. And as you see, there are a variety of different hand cycles available.
The Motor rally is for individuals in power wheel chairs. This fellow is a triple amputee. And you see there is a great variety of people who participate in this event as well.
Power soccer, this fellow is using his chin to drive his power wheelchair. They use the white box at their feet to direct the ball through upright goals to score points.
Quad rugby is a very popular event. It is a very aggressive event. If you look at the yellow wheel covers, you will see they are all smashed in from running into each other. It is a great crowd pleaser, as well as a great pleaser for the athletes themselves.
Slalom is an obstacle course, which represents the obstacles that the individuals must overcome in their daily lives, such as curbs without curb cuts and stairs. They get points for going through the course.
Softball is a very popular event, very well attended. Last year we added a standing track and field event for amputees. There was a drill in the first one. These folks are throwing discus and javelin.
Swimming is another popular event for all disabilities, both quadriplegics, paraplegics, stroke, amputees, and a variety of other disabilities. Events include breaststroke, backstroke, and other events.
Table tennis, although not quite as aggressive, is a sedentary event. But as you see, he is having a great time.
Track, the fellow in the bottom left has a spinal cord injury. And the other fellow has a traumatic brain injury. You see the community involvement here with the young cheerleaders from the high school, cheering the veterans on.
Trap shooting was an exhibition event. It became a medal event last year. Weightlifting, another medal event. There is a great deal of strategy in this event.
The Winter Sports Clinic, you have heard quite a bit about. I am going to show you a few pictures here. It was founded in 1987. You have to be a U.S. military veteran or active duty-personnel to be eligible to particip
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