JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- For Senior Airman Shaundra Smith, life suddenly became incredibly complicated when a severe medical condition unexpectedly impacted her mobility, leaving her in intense discomfort and forcing her to rely on assistance to walk. Moving was hard. Sleeping was hard. Fulfilling her daily duties as an Airman at Hurlburt Field, Florida, felt like a daunting uphill battle.
Then, she was introduced to the Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) Program and things started to change. As the program helped her adjust to her new normal, she felt heard, seen, and cared for.
Across the Department of the Air Force, Airmen and Guardians rely on shared strength and knowledge to defend the nation. But when illness or injury strikes, a service member remains much more than what they are physically capable of doing. Even when physical, mental, or emotional abilities are altered, there is always a way to adapt and overcome. That is the gap AFW2 fills.
For Smith, a major turning point was attending a CARE event at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The event, which represents four AFW2 support programs: Caregiver Support, Adaptive Sports and Ambassador Workshop, Recovering Airman Mentorship Program, Resilience Programming, and Empowerment in Transition, is designed to show wounded warriors exactly what is still possible.
“The program reminds us that we are still warriors, that we are capable, and the heart we have to represent the Air Force still has a home,” said Smith. “The program encourages us to expect the best of ourselves, to lean into a community that we can relate to and foster new interests that can be developed to a competitive level. I am thankful that this program exists, that it’s funded, and that I get to do it with people who are like me.”
CARE events are built to bolster the mental fortitude of both warriors and their caregivers. They feature resilience workshops that facilitate challenging conversations, such as reversing limiting beliefs (self-deprecation), and classes like photography that allow participants to capture the world through a new lens. It is an environment of teamwork, learning, and discovery.
But not everything is taught in a classroom. A huge part of the recovery process happens actively through paralympic-style adaptive sports. Participants are immersed in as many as 11 adaptive sports like wheelchair basketball, powerlifting, track and field, and archery. Experienced coaches, who specialize in adaptive sports, mentor the athletes. These subject matter experts understand the hesitation participants might feel, and they work patiently to build confidence fast. Alongside volunteers and medical staff, they create a community with one singular goal: helping warriors in recovery.
“The CARE events are where we focus on adaptive sports and resilience efforts for service members and their caregivers,” said Col. Betsy Ross, AFW2 Program director. “We bring everybody together to give them an introduction to the adaptive sports to show, ‘These are the things that you’re still capable of doing.’ It’s really about meeting people where they are and helping them learn how to do their desired sport with their capabilities.”
Furthermore, injury or illness doesn't automatically mean the end of a military career. AFW2 facilitates continued recovery, whether that means helping a service member feel comfortable enough to put the uniform back on, or setting them up for a successful future outside the military. Even when a servicemember's commitment ends, the program’s does not.
Regardless of rank, time in service, or the nature of their health condition, AFW2 unites Airmen, Guardians and caregivers to provide a sense of purpose and belonging. Through their worst days and toughest challenges, AFW2 lives up to its motto: "Care Beyond Duty." Because at the end of the day, Airmen and Guardians are valued for more than just their ability to complete the mission.