Theresa Chrystal competes
in Wounded Warrior games
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Jessica Switzer
The daughter of an Orofino man competed with nearly 200 other injured
service members in the inaugural Warrior Games at the U.S. Olympic Training
Center, Colorado Springs, CO.
Air National Guard Capt.
Theresa M. Chrystal, daughter of Alvin Zierlein of Orofino, is an Air Force
Wounded Warrior action officer with Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center, Air
Force Wounded Warrior Program at Randolph Air Force Base, TX.
The games were an introduction
to official Paralympic sports for the athletes as well as building camaraderie
and raising general awareness of Paralympic sports. There were seven main event
categories participants could compete in: track and field, swimming, bicycling,
archery, shooting, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball.
"I'm here to make sure the
athletes have everything they need," said Chrystal, a 1987 graduate of
Chrystal was cadre for the Air
Force team. All of the athletes competing in the games have been wounded or
injured in one way or another. Some carry outward physical reminders of their
experiences, missing limbs, scars, or paralysis. Some carry their scars on the
inside, in the form of Traumatic Brain Injuries, strokes or Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder. All of the athletes competed against others who were similarly
disabled.
"I work for in the Air Force
Wounded Warrior program and I was actually involved in recruiting athletes for
the Air Force team," said Chrystal. "I have a strong passion for helping our
wounded warriors and educating people about what the program is and does."
While participants competed in
a number of individual events, they were also a member of a service unique team
made up of prior or currently serving athletes and coaches.
"I love watching the athletes
compete, giving it their all, regardless of their injuries," said Chrystal, who
joined the Air Force in 1991 and transitioned to the Air National Guard in 1995.
"They have such a passion, for sports and life, that it's contagious. They've
been a huge inspiration.
"I was honored to be a part of
the inaugural games and be among so many true heroes, who have sacrificed so
much, and continue to give back without giving up," said Chrystal. "I love the
friendly rivalry between the services. Everyone was so friendly and playing and
living in this joint environment was a great experience. The Olympic Training
Center and
Athletes came from across the