LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (June 18, 2010)—Last week, 22 wounded warriors continued their path to recovery by working out with the New Orleans Saints live via webcam as part of the program “Rehabbing with the Troops.” Sponsored by Armed Forces Insurance(AFI, www.afi.org), the 10-week rehabilitation program was developed by Pro vs. G.I. Joe, in partnership with the United Services Organizations (USO) and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).
“More than 37,000 troops have been wounded during combat operations overseas since 2003. Rehabbing with the Troops shines a spotlight on the challenges wounded warriors face while helping these 22 veterans tackle the serious business of recovery,” said Tom Dials (Colonel, U.S. Army, Ret.), chairman of Armed Forces Insurance. “We want to honor their sacrifice and support their recovery—this one-of-a-kind program is an ideal way to do just that.”
Season one of the program began June 10 at the Wounded Warrior ProjectTRACK facility in Jacksonville, Fla., where the 22 wounded warriors—some from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.—gathered to participate in the first interactive rehabilitation session. Wounded warriors and New Orleans Saints team members gathered in front of flat screen televisions provided by Best Buy to perform the rehabilitative exercises using a Nintendo Wii game console, accessories, and webcam. Pro vs. GI Joe partnered with Wounded Warrior Project to develop custom workouts using specific exercises within the EA Sports Active title.
“Wounded Warrior Project is always looking for innovative ways to inspire and honor our wounded warriors,” said Ronda Jarvis, executive vice president of physical health and rehabilitation for Wounded Warrior Project. “We are so thankful to Pro vs. G.I. Joe, AFI, Best Buy and the USO for putting together this cutting-edge rehabilitation program. This type of physical activity goes a long way in also healing the mind and spirit of a wounded warrior.”
During the season, each wounded warrior will participate in multiple rehabilitation sessions per week and chronicle their journey on the Wounded Warrior Arena website (http://www.woundedwarriorarena.org/), Twitter, and Facebook. They also will participate in weekly challenges and earn prizes along the way. Fans and fellow wounded warriors can follow participants’ progress on the website, work out with them in the Take the Warrior Challenge, and send messages of encouragement to their Facebook and Twitter pages. “Participating in this program gives me the opportunity to rehabilitate and become friends with fellow wounded warriors. I’m having a great time,” said Sergeant Jeremy Stengel, (U.S. Marine Corps).
AFI provided a donation to fund Wounded Warrior Arena website development, rehabilitation equipment, and other program elements—including the Wii game consoles, accessories, and video camcorders, as well as the costs for two Iraq military journalist veterans, who will film the troops’ journey and compile the footage into a documentary series. Produced by Thomas Bramble, creator and producer of Pentagon TV program Freestyle Iraq, the documentary will be uploaded to the Wounded Warrior Arena website (http://www.woundedwarriorarena.org/). The 10-week season will conclude in New Orleans on August 21, where the troops will complete their final workout, receive awards at an AFI-sponsored luncheon and view the New Orleans Saints pre-season home opening game at the Louisiana Superdome.
“Wounded veterans have deliberately put themselves in harm’s way to defend our freedom. They deserve an opportunity to recover in a special way that isn’t available anywhere else,” said Greg Zinone, founder, Pro vs. G.I. Joe and creator of the Rehabbing with the Troops program. “With the help of the New Orleans Saints and modern technology, we’re giving it to them.”
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