Wounded Warriors: Powerful Photos of Veteran Athletes

Redmond Ramos, Retired U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class "When you are injured lying in a hospital bed, you face a choice: feel sorry for yourself and drink the pain away, try to get back to the person you used to be, or open your eyes and finally live life. Become better than you ever were."Erik Tanner for TIME

Benjamin Koren, U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant"While [receiving chemotherapy], I received an email that said the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program had an introductory adaptive sports camp coming up designed just for people like me. At first I felt like they must have made a mistake because I wasn’t injured in combat, but after attending this camp, I realized there are many different types of wounded warriors with many different injuries and illnesses—and found that I fit right in."Erik Tanner for TIME

Anthony Rios, Retired U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant"I was wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade in Marjeh, Afghanistan. My mentality was to 'tough this out,' until my idea of normalcy returned. Unfortunately, reality would send me down a different path, and the unspoken truths about being injured would become my new norm. I struggled to find my way out of this fog of pain and uncertainty, and one of the beacons would be adaptive sports and recreation."Erik Tanner for TIME

Jenae Piper, Retired U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant"The DoD Warrior Games and Marine Corps Trials give me a new purpose and the opportunity to set and reach new goals. My transition out of the military into medical retirement has not been easy...Adaptive sporting events bring me back to a group of friends and family that are faced with similar challenges but all have the same goal, which is to win and do their best at whatever sport they’re competing in."Erik Tanner for TIME

Sean Walsh, Retired U.S. Special Operations Command Captain"The biggest struggle for me was finding out that I wasn’t invincible, that I had to be careful now. Initially, I saw the Warrior Games as a way to stay connected with other Special Operations veterans and participate in their training program, but the journey became so much more than that. I am now a part of a team again, representing the U.S. Special Operations community."Erik Tanner for TIME

Krystoffer L. Bowman, U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant, 13th Air Support Operations Squadron"[The Wounded Warriors program] brought me back to the spirit I had held for so many years, the unconditional mindset of not accepting restrictions on my life—of finding an adaptive way of thinking and finding ways to get me back into living. Before my medical issues, I was an avid outdoorsman, triathlete, diver and sky-diver. It all fed my competitive nature and desire to shatter through any wall put before me."Erik Tanner for TIME

Rey Edenfield, U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant"The biggest impact that the Air Force Wounded Warrior program has had on my life is that it’s given me a new perspective on life as an amputee and has opened my eyes to the world of adaptive sports. I had no idea the programs and opportunities that were available to me."Erik Tanner for TIME

Kristen Esget, Retired Coast Guard Yeoman 3rd Class "Back home, people don’t always understand me and the struggles I face because I look perfectly normal. When I am with fellow wounded warrior athletes, I do not feel judged, and I never have to explain myself."Erik Tanner for TIME

Jim Castaneda, Retired Navy Honorary Chief Boatswain's Mat"Though the recovery process has been tedious for my father, one thing he never lost was his optimism and outgoingness. He loves the world to which the Warrior Games introduced him. The Games have shown him that there are people facing challenges like his own, and together they can still bring smiles to each other’s faces."Erik Tanner for TIME

Brett Parks, Retired Navy Aircrewman"I think about other wounded warriors—whether they were recently diagnosed with a serious illness or finding a new normal after combat—and all they are fighting to overcome. I’m doing this for them, and for the ones who will come after them. Those who need to see that broken doesn’t mean broke, and that their tragedy can become an opportunity to accomplish something great."Erik Tanner for TIME

Lisa Marie Hodgdgen, Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant"I think of who I was six months ago and barely recognize myself. I was angry, bitter, and resentful. I didn’t trust anyone...These camps are about focusing on the things I can do, not the things I can’t. I am now closer to the person my family deserves. Practicing for the Games helps me focus on the positive. I don’t need a medal in competition—I have already won."Erik Tanner for TIME

Timothy McDonough, Retired U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant "I was a flying crew chief and it was our role throughout both wars to bring home HRs—human remains—from the combat zone...I don’t believe you are ever cured of PTSD. You learn to live with it. And adaptive sports are one of my tools for living with it. I will survive this."Erik Tanner for TIME

Jasmine Perry, U.S. Army Corporal"My amputation has made me more resilient. It built me up mentally; I can handle just about anything mentally. It humbles you. It tests your character. It shows what type of person you really are and how you will overcome."Erik Tanner for TIME

Nicholas Titman, U.S. Army Sergeant"After my injury, I was told I would never be able to compete in sports at the level I had before. Volleyball, track and basketball were always a huge part of my life, and I knew that I would not settle for anything less than being back on the court and track. In 2014 I was placed in the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Carson, Colo., and given the time I needed for my healing and recovery. The day I arrived I knew that I would be able to focus on getting back into the sports I loved so much."Erik Tanner for TIME

See Powerful Photos of Wounded Warrior Athletes

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