Therapy outside of clinic walls
“My name is Jose Garcia, a 24-year U.S. Air Force disabled veteran, VA employee and a multiple sclerosis patient. When I was diagnosed with MS in April 2000, I was still able to walk and still on active duty. In the beginning, I was in denial. Twenty-five years later, I am in a wheelchair.”
Soon after Garcia transitioned out of the military, his legs became weaker. He went from using an ankle-foot orthosis and cane, to a rollator, to a scooter and as of 2019, into a power chair. During that time he sought care from a non-VA neurologist. For a decade he said it seemed like he made appointments twice a year just to keep the doctor informed that he was still alive. Finally in 2015, with a move to Minnesota, he established care at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and started receiving care at the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorder Center (SCI/D).
“I had more appointments in 18 months than I had in ten years,” he said. “The SCI/D clinic was proactive in my medical care. I was blown away—highly impressed. I felt valued, from every VA Medical Center staff employee, and in SCI/D they really cared about me as a person!”
One of those appointments was for Recreation Therapy. “I was asked by one of the Rec Therapists, what did I want to get out of the adaptive sports activity? My response, to do things I’ve never done when was walking (able bodied) or to do things I was able to do before, better.”
Through the National Veterans adaptive sports programs, he has done just that. He went to the 2024 Winter Sports Clinic, where his highlight was learning to ski using a bi ski and tackle a mountain over 11,000 feet high. “It took ten full minutes to ski down the mountain which, was the closest feeling to flying I’ve ever had. It was magnificent and I truly had the most fun I have ever experienced in my life!”
He also was a member of team Minnesota at the 2024 Minneapolis National Veterans Wheelchair Games in New Orleans and is signed up to complete at the Games this summer in Minneapolis.
Recreation therapists are critical for adaptive sports athletes. They assist the Veterans with registration, practice, travel coordination and participation through the week-long events. In an effort to communicate how important the recreation therapists are to Garcia, he typed up note and shared it with their team. It said…
“When you spend 75% of your day in a chair or struggling to ambulate, there are times you sink into a dark place or depression…you really have NO idea, the impact of what you provide – showing us what we are capable of doing…it is so special and even allows us to share those experiences with our kids/family, it’s priceless—from the heart, Thank you so much!”
“What a heartwarming message to receive,” said Jenn Strong, one of Garica’s favorite recreational therapists. “I have enjoyed watching him grow during the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and local adaptive sports programs. He has become a passionate advocate of recreation therapy and adaptive sports, sharing his positive experiences with many others! He is an example of the benefits of bringing therapy outside of clinic walls.”
This powerful relationship between Veteran and recreation therapist will be on display, times 500, during the 44th Annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Minneapolis July 17-22. See it for your self by signing up to be a volunteer at the Games, visit wheelchairgames.org.