Team Semper Fi Trains on Pensacola Beach

As originally posted at myislandtimes.com on 4/13/2014:

For Immediate Release
Press Contact: Paul Fitzgerald // Senior Mgr for Team Semper Fi
Contact Info: Cell 719.238.3096
Pictures and Captions Below

What:

Semper Fi Fund’s athletic rehabilitative program “Team Semper Fi” returns in association with Team MPI (multi-purpose institute) to Portofino Island Resort to bring their “Recovery through Sport” program to the resort. Throughout the weekend, Team Semper Fi will work with approximately 20 disabled service veterans – and focus in breakout sessions on running, biking and swimming – as part of a combined rehabilitative focus through teamwork, exercise, and sport. The majority of the service veterans are new to triathlons.

The service veterans represent all branches of service, and various injuries such as: spinal cord injuries, arm amputees, traumatic brain injuries, post traumatic stress disorder, and various orthopedic injuries. “The challenge for the coaches is finding a way to implement. The majority are combat injuries, and some are from training. “It’s a challenge for the coaches to find a way to adapt the way they (disabled service members) learn the sport, verses someone who’s able bodied. So that’s the interesting part of having injured service members, or challenged athletes, or anybody with any kind of disability – is finding a way to adapt the sport.” said John Fitzgerald, Senior Manager for Team Semper Fi.

The Semper Fi fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and its program America’s Fund, are set up to provide immediate financial assistance and lifetime support for injured and critically ill members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Their athletic program “Team Semper Fi” focuses on “Recovery Through Sport” and is made up of more than 600 service members who qualify for assistance. Team Semper Fi is the heart and inspiration of the Semper Fi Fund’s rehabilitative Athletic Program and is an extension of the assistance they provide.

This is the third year Portofino has seen challenged athletes return to the resort for training.

To find out more about the Semper Fi Fund’s “Team Semper Fi” and it’s mission of providing recovery through sport please visit their website at http://semperfifund.org/team-semper-fi/

For More Information Call: Paul Fitzgerald 719.238.3096 // Senior Manager for Team Semper Fi

Press Release Written by: Benjamin Davidson
 (850.293.9462)