The Bob Woodruff Foundation has awarded a $100,000, one-year grant to Disabled Sports USA (DS/USA), to benefit wounded military service members in Florida, Texas, and California. Specifically, the grant will fund sports rehabilitation programs at DS/USA chapters and military hospitals as well as provide training on traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress to DS/USA chapters nationwide.
“We are thrilled to have the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s support to help our efforts to provide high-quality sports rehabilitation to our injured military,” said Kirk Bauer, JD, executive director of DS/USA and a disabled Vietnam veteran. “These brave service members, who have made great sacrifices for this nation, deserve every opportunity to participate in sport rehabilitation programs. Participating in sports has been proven to be a highly effective way to rebuild their lives.”
DS/USA’s military sports rehabilitation programs provide more than 20 different winter and summer sports programs free to severely wounded service members and their families. This includes costs for transportation, special adaptive sports equipment, training from qualified adaptive sports instructors, lodging, meals, and other costs. To date, more than 4,500 wounded service members, family members, and hospital staff have been served.
“It is with great anticipation and enthusiasm that we support Disabled Sports USA’s sports rehabilitation and traumatic brain injury awareness programs, especially within these highly populated military communities,” said René Bardorf, executive director of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. “Furthermore, it is important to highlight DS/USA’s mission of helping service members develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, recreation, and educational programs.”
