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For the 10th year in a row, USRowing is opening boathouse doors throughout the country to our U.S. Veterans and Members of the Armed Services with disabilities through our Freedom Rows. With over 1000 Veterans engaged in this important program annually, the impact is vast.
Veterans who row in over 30 Freedom Rows programs across the country participate in various ways, taking advantage of the full range of opportunities and benefits of rowing – from recreational rowing at their local VA sports facility or rowing club to competing in the Paralympics. Veterans report greater confidence and independence, feeling more positive, and the impact of the camaraderie and team on their lives.
To increase the number of Veterans with disabilities participating in adaptive and Para rowing categories, USRowing provides the following to participating rowing organizations:
"The first time I got on the water, I was hooked. It’s this tranquility and peace. You have to just concentrate on that so, all these things going on in my head, all these issues, all my pains everything just goes to the back of your head because you literally have to focus on what you’re doing.” - Sarah Frazier-Kim, a disabled Marine, a wife, and a mother.
"I was a Navy doctor for seven years and while serving on Active Duty, I was severely injured, followed by 52 surgeries and the amputation of my leg. I spent over two years in the hospital and feel like I lost everything I worked for, including the person I used to like being. My PT at the Miami VA knew my unfulfilled dream was to be a rower. “If life didn’t give him his dream, maybe his dream will give him back his life.” And it did. USRowing’s Freedom Rows helped me with opportunity and with means, I needed both. Freedom Rows. Two simple words: FREEDOM and ROWS. It’s where I started over and part of who I am today." - Army Veteran and Para Rower
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