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Since its introduction in 2010, the Warrior Games have given the
nation an opportunity to glimpse into the resilient spirits of
wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans from all
branches of the military.
For Air Force Reserve Tech. Sgt.
Chris Rust, 434th Maintenance Group quality assurance maintainer
from Russiaville, Indiana, his perception of what being a wounded
warrior meant nearly cost him the chance to be a part of something
life-changing.
On a routine deployment in 2013, Rust began
to experience severe headaches daily and upon redeployment, he
experienced an event that would change the course of his life: a
stroke.
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U.S. Air Force Reserve Tech. Sgt. Chris Rust, a aircraft maintenance
troop from Russiaville, Indiana during the 2017 Department of
Defense Warrior Games at McCormick Place-Lakeside Center on June 30,
2017, Chicago, Ill. Rust competed in archery, shooting and cycling
in this year’s games. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chip Pons)
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“Before my stroke, I was the poster boy for fitness,”
Chris said. “After, I had a lot of anger and suffered from
depression while I tried to figure out why this was
happening to me. We live our lives essentially making our
own ‘normal’ and when that is redefined for you, you
experience something new and strange. Finding acceptance
with that is not an easy process.
“I first heard
about the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program through an email
that was sent by my recovery care coordinator,” he
continued. “Initially I dismissed it because at the time I
believed I was not deserving of being called a wounded
warrior. I do not have physical injuries; I have what is now
commonly referred to as an invisible wound. I basically
thought I did not belong here.”
Chris’ wife thought
differently however, took matters into her own hands and
answered the email on his behalf.
“I knew that being
part of this program would completely change my husband’s
life,” said Mindy Rust. “At the time, he was concentrating
on what he could not do when all I wanted was for him to
focus on what he could still do. All he needed was a push in
the right direction and I knew being surround by these
warriors would open his eyes to a new way of life and
possibilities.”
At the urging of his supportive
spouse, Chris took a chance on the program and himself,
beginning his own warrior journey.
“Since my first
adaptive sports camp, I have been able to see first-hand
that this program is so much more than physical injuries,”
Chris said. “Here, we all speak the same language and we
have developed a common ground supporting our recovery and
healing processes.
“Without this program, I would
not be where I am today,” he continued. “I would not have
been this successful in creating my new sense of normal - I
simply would not be the me I am now.”
Mindy echoed
her husbands sentiments about the significance the support
of the program had on her personal experience as a
caregiver.
“After working with the family care coordinators over the years,
they have taught us how to be resilient on our own throughout this
process,” Mindy stated. “When your warrior first becomes injured or
ill, you can not help but feel like you are alone. When you become
involved in this program, you are shown just how large this family
is and how willing everyone is to help one another.”
Not only
are the games an opportunity to cheer on those who have sacrificed
so greatly on behalf of their nation, they provide an opportunity to
see the unbreakable bond between these athletes and those
surrounding and supporting them.
“There are a lot of
individuals here and part of this AFW2 program who have had a direct
hand in my recovery; the level of support and care we get from our
coaches, the care coordinators and the rest of the wounded warrior
program team is astounding,” Chris said. “Everyone here just seems
to get our struggle and without this network I believe my life path
after injury would have been completely different for me and my
family.”
For someone who suffers from syncopea, which Chris
explains as a disease that causes him to immediately pass out if he
has been standing for too long, stands up too rapidly or walks for
long periods of time, these games represent the culmination of
everything that Chris has endured and accomplished over the course
of two years in an effort to create personal normalcy.
This
is Chris’ first year participating in the Warrior Games, where he is
competing in air pistol shooting, compound archery and hand cycling.
As one of the oldest members of Team Air Force, Chris acknowledges
that his noncommissioned officer training and service longevity has
made him an asset not only as a participant, but also as someone who
can offer sound and understanding guidance to teammates from an
extensive Air Force career.
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U.S. Air Force Reserve Christopher Rust, an aircraft maintenance
airman from Russiaville, Indiana, fires an air pistol during the
shooting competition at the 2017 Warrior Games at the McCormick
Place-Lakeside Center, Chicago, Illinois on July 6, 2017. Rust also
competed in archery and cycling in this year’s games. (U.S. Air
Force photo by Staff Sgt. Keith James)
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“While I am one of the oldest competitors on this team, I
stand firm in my belief that the older you are, the quicker
you get it,” Chris explained. “What I mean is you get what
draws everyone to this program and the experiences they have
been through. By surrounding yourself with like-minded
individuals, you quickly come to the realization that you do
not need to endure this type of struggle on your own. As
someone who has had 28 years worth of Air Force experiences,
I am able to leverage my experiences and talk to these
Airmen, my new family, as someone who has genuinely been
there.
“I can tell you professionally that this
stroke has completely redefined my experience as an Airman,”
he continued. “I have served these past 28 years and have
loved every moment of it. The final challenge for me will be
coming to terms with understanding it is ok to let the next
generation Airmen take over.”
Walking with a
cane for precautionary support, seeing a mental health counselor for
anxiety, depression and an adjustment disorder, and fully accepting
his new outlook on life, Rust’s road to recovery has developed a
deeper sense of pride from his own three children, all of whom are
currently serving or have served in the military.
“I can say
with complete confidence that my children are proud of me,” said
Chris. “Seeing where I started, basically on my death bed and not
knowing if I was going to make it or not, to seeing me attend the
adaptive sports camps, to now representing the Air Force for the
second time in the DOD Warrior Games - it has made me incredibly
proud to hear them say ‘oh yeah…the old man’s still got it’.”
To those who remain undecided on whether or not becoming a
member of the wounded warrior program would be beneficial on a
personal journey to recovery, Chris offers this challenge.
“Answer the email,” he stated simply. “Make a commitment to try it
out and if you do not like what it is about after that point, just
know that it is also ok. But I am going to let you in on a little
secret: you are going to love it. There is a family here who gets
what you are going through, so please let us help you toward
recovery, and let the staff lead you on this new path. I cannot do
some of the things I used to be able to; however, with this program
I have learned to do things I once believed were impossible.”
By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chip Pons
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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