Veteran and hopeful Paralympian Ennis on the power of sports
KIRSTIE ENNIS:
"I attribute sports to who I am today. Rolling that into my recovery --that's what saved me."
Photographs by Peter Yang Behind the scenes by Eric Lutzens
Topeka veteran competes in Iditarod, uses adventure to deal with PTSD
KCTV News
By Laura McCallister,
Multimedia Producer
By Carolyn Long, Anchor
Mar 06, 2015
TOPEKA, KS (KCTV)
The Iditarod begins Saturday and this year a Topeka man will compete in the "last great race on Earth."
Steve Watkins, 38 enjoys adventure and a good adrenaline rush.
"There's nothing like a strong, compelling physical challenge," he said.
It's what led him to the Armed Forces in 1999.
“I never thought I'd serve in a war, much less two wars,” he said.
But a traumatic brain injury sidelined him, that and post-traumatic stress disorder that he describes as recurring guilt.
"I feel guilty because so many of my friend and classmates from West Point died and I feel guilty that they did and that I didn't and I understand that doesn't satisfy logic, but it's how I feel," Watkins said.
When conventional therapies didn't help, Watkins turned to adventure and starting training for the Iditarod.
"It helps on many levels, and even more deep-seeded spiritual level. It's very cleansing and grounding," he said.
"So many veterans feel like the most significant part of their life is over and that leads to depression and suicide, and my message is that just because our great wars are over doesn't mean our lives can't be full of significance and meaning.” read more here
Iraq War veteran aims high despite loss of arm
Stotts City archer heading to world championships
News Leader
Written by
Wes Johnson
October 28, 2013
When Lance Thornton was 7, he used all of his birthday money to buy his first bow and arrow.
“I grew up bowhunting, being out in the woods,” said Thornton, now 28. “To me there’s just nothing cooler than being able to shoot a bow and arrow accurately.”
This week, the rural Stotts City hunter is on his way to Bangkok to put his archery skills to an ultimate test. Thornton is one of 15 U.S. archers who will be competing against dozens of top archers from 29 countries.
It’s a huge step up for Thornton, who began shooting competitively less than two years ago. He has risen fast through the competitive ranks, drawing on his deeply ingrained hunting skills to put carbon fiber arrows precisely into a bull’s-eye at 50 yards.
Local Paralympic Star Set To Compete On The World Stage Again
Local Double Paralympic gold medallist and reigning three-time Paralympic World Champion
Danielle Brown is going after her fourth World Title in Bangkok.
Double Paralympic gold medallist and reigning three-time Paralympic World Champion Danielle Brown
Archery GB has announce the archers who will be representing Great Britain at the Paralympic Archery World Championships in Bangkok between 1st and 7th November.
Following two selection shoots in April and June this year, seven male and three female archers have been selected to compete in Bangkok. Double Paralympic gold medallist and reigning three-time Paralympic World Champion Danielle Brown is amongst the archers and she is hoping to make it her fourth World title in a row. Mel Clarke, Paralympic silver medallist at London 2012, and Sharon Vennard complete the female archers.
The male archers taking aim in Bangkok are John Stubbs (2008 Paralympic World Champion) Richard Hennahane (Team World Champion in 2011), Paralympic record holder Kenny Allen, Frank Maguire, John Cavanagh, Phillip Bottomley, and Paul Browne. read more here
