Noteboom The Law Firm

Veterans Healing in White Waters

 May 21, 2010 - Veterans' therapy programs come in all shapes and methods. The end result of having so many options available is that veterans are able to choose which one works best for them. Team River Runners was formed in 2004 with the sole purpose of helping active duty veterans who were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan during the current wars. Team River Runners is now available to all military personnel as well as their family members.

Team River Runners is a nonprofit, national organization providing both a recreational and social outlet for veterans and military personnel. They work in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) teaching veterans how to whitewater kayak. Disabled veterans participating in the therapy report they feel like they make both physical and emotional returns to their life.

Today there are almost 20 Team River Runners chapters nationwide. Veterans must apply through the VA in order to be cleared to participate in the program. Once cleared, participants take part in the program free of charge. Team River Runners accepts both emotionally and physically disabled veterans as well as all other military personnel.

This type of therapy program allows veterans to not only recover physically, but emotionally. Team River Runners provides a very non-threatening environment where participants are able to easily socialize with each other. It is constantly reinforced that kayaking is a sport of brotherhood, in the same way as the military. Bonding is critical to the participants to form the tight brotherhood. 

Kayaking works as a therapy because of the sense of accomplishment and emotional gratification it provides. Many disabled veterans look at their disability as the end of their active life. Instead, kayaking provides them with the ability to learn a new and active skill and gets them back into the saddle.