MILLINGTON, Tenn. - A Jacksonville, North Carolina, resident will join more than 250 seriously wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans at the Department of Defense (DOD) Warrior Games Challenge June 2 – 12, 2023, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California.
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| Photo by Alyssa Ross for Navy Wounded Warrior |
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (ret.) Lindsay Battista will be competing against athletes representing the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and U.S. Special Operations Command.
“Participating in the Warrior Games means my continued ability to overcome my disabilities, despite first being enrolled into Navy Wounded Warrior for mental health reasons,” said Battista. “Since being diagnosed with brain cancer shortly after making the 2021 Team Navy for Warrior Games, I’ve completed brain cancer treatment, and I’m now ready to compete as both a cancer survivor and a PTSD warrior now.”
During the 10 days of competition, Battista will compete in cycling, field, indoor rowing and shooting.
Hosted by U.S. Army Training & Doctrine Command (TRADOC) the Department of Defense (DoD) organizes an annual adaptive-sports competition, the Warrior Games. This year is the 13th Anniversary highlighting the exceptional physical skills and mental toughness of wounded, ill and injured active-duty and veteran service members. While the structure of the Warrior Games Challenge may be slightly different than a traditional Warrior Games, athletes will still participate in a premier and elite-level adaptive sporting event.
“To me, serving in the Navy means family, dedication and sacrifice,” added Battista. “It takes great bravery and courage to raise your right hand and voluntarily serve in the United States Armed Forces. They say it’s a blank check you signed to give anything up to your life for the United States of America. It means selfless service to me.”
Team Navy is part of Navy Wounded Warrior’s adaptive athletics program, which is open to service members and veterans in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard with serious, non-combat or combat-related injuries and physical or psychological illnesses. Recovering Service Members rebuild their strength and endurance, while also drawing inspiration from their teammates.
Sports also help build self-esteem, lowers stress levels and invite service members to rejoin a team environment. All enrollees in Navy Wounded Warrior are encouraged to include adaptive athletics in their recovery plans.
Participation is voluntary and requires sailors and Coast Guardsmen to self-refer or be referred by their commands, chaplain, medical team, peers, or others for enrollment determination. Connect by phone at 855-NAVY-WWP (855-628-9997) or e-mail navywoundedwarrior.fct@navy.mil.
For more information about the 2023 DoD Warrior Games Challenge, visit dodwarriorgames.com.
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