OPERATION COMFORT

ADAPTIVE SPORTS REHABILITATION -- The annual Operation Comfort Adaptive Cycling skills clinic was held in May. This three-day skills clinic is held in collaboration with the local Veterans Administration Recreation department. This clinic was led by four Operation Comfort staff, two Veterans Administration staff, and one civilian cycling professional and two Disabled Veteran Cycling professionals. The goals set during the clinic are to teach proper hydration and nutrition before, during, and after riding. Each participant is fit to several bikes, recumbents, or handcycle to ensure the comfort and safety level is accurate. Those in attendance will learn safety skills, proper shifting, and basic bike Maintenance. Our main goal is to help empower veterans to improve their health in multiple interconnected biological, behavioral, social, and environmental areas. Experts widely consider exercise, good nutrition, relaxation and sleep crucial to healthy living. Good health helps keep your body running, and does wonders for one's emotional well-being. OC supported Matt Gonzales and Ivan Perez as part of our VA deliverable for Paralympic Pipeline support. These two athletes participated in the U.S. Paralympic Open in Huntsville, Alabama. Matt placed second twice and was awarded two Bronze Medals, and Ivan placed 5th/7th in his category. Both will move on to the U.S. Road Championships in July. We are very proud to have supported them on their journey and will offer some support in July. Matt & Ivan are featured in the fundraising letter that was sent out April 26, 2021. Operation Comfort hosted a variety of clinics including Running, Sled Hockey, Hiking, Paintball, and Pickleball one to two times per month along with weekly core programming. Kayaking at the Olympic Center in San Marcos was offered twice a month May through September led by an Olympian and world class, expert whitewater kayaker, and ACA whitewater instructor

WOODWORKING IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THERAPEUTIC AND REHABILITATIVE ACTIVITIES IN A NON-CLINICAL ENVIRONMENT. THE PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED AT THE REQUEST OF WOUNDED SERVICE MEMBERS.. THEY EXPRESSED INTEREST IN WORKING ON PROJECTS AND IN LEARNING WOODWORKING AND WELDING SKILLS.