Disabled Veterans Still Able to Zoom

Leon's Triathlon honored to serve disabled military veterans

North West Times

Jim Peters

June 4, 2017

Just back from a deployment in April 2008, Navy hospital corpsman Gabriel George went out for a motorcycle ride one night off base in Jacksonville, Florida.

Gabriel George of Jacksonville Florida trains for Sunday's Leon's Triathlon during a camp Friday at Munster High School (John J Watkins/The Times)

The driver of a car making a U-turn pulled in front of George, causing an accident that resulted in horrific injuries.

George suffered two fractured vertebrae, bruised and collapsed lungs, a broken collarbone and scapula, six broken ribs, a traumatic brain injury and paralysis on his right side. He was on a ventilator and in a coma for three weeks.

The fact that he'll be competing in Leon's Triathlon today at Wolf Lake Park is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, a motivating force for race founder and director Leon Wolek.

"A lot of disabled veterans use triathlons as a means to cope with their challenges," Wolek said. "What they've done is an inspiration. There are absolutely no words."

read more here