Brent (R) holds his gold medal. Red Cross volunteer Ross Theis by his side all the way.
Quick Update to story below: Wednesday, Brent Garlic went on to win gold in the cycling event. Here are photos of him with Red Cross volunteer Ross Theis who helped him along the way to a gold medal.
Brent Garlic on his winning adaptive cycle.
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Story by Kate Walters, American Red Cross
Acts of service to America’s war fighters are nothing new for Red Cross volunteers.
In 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross after risking her life, as a volunteer, to bring supplies and support to soldiers in the field during the Civil War. Today Red Cross volunteers are supporting wounded, ill and injured service members as they showcase the power of adaptive sports at the 2018 Department of Defense (DoD) Warrior Games in Colorado Springs.
Red Cross volunteer Ross Theis (L) with Wounded Warrior Athlete Brent Garlic. Photo by Bob Hurly
Red Cross volunteer and United States Army Veteran, Ross Theis drove his motor home all the way from Mosca, Colorado in Alamosa County to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on Saturday, May 26th, to serve as a volunteer at the DoD sponsored Warrior Games because of his passion for disabled veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Since last Saturday Theis has helped set up rowing rigs, kept athletes comfortable in the athlete’s lounge, hoisted children in and out of wheelchairs for wheelchair rugby, and escorted Army Veterans at the opening ceremonies. He will serve at the games until the closing ceremonies Saturday, June 9, 2018.
As Theis considers his many and varied acts of service, the experience that brings tears to his eyes began when he crossed paths with Brent Garlic during this year’s Warrior Games. Brent is a disabled veteran from Atlanta Georgia. He served in Bosnia and Kosovo during the Balkan war in 1999. He suffered from a spinal cord injury that has left him without the use of his legs. Garlic competes in indoor rowing, as well as cycling, swimming and wheelchair basketball. He came to Colorado Springs in the days before his events in order to acclimate to the altitude and to ensure that the athletic equipment was adapted to his specific needs. Theis met Garlic while he was training for the upcoming indoor rowing event. He is one of very few rowers participating as a paraplegic. His rowing apparatus is rigged with 2 chest straps that aid in keeping his body upright while he works the oars. If the straps are too loose, he cannot maintain an upright position. If the straps are too tight, it reduces his range of motion. If the straps function properly, they keep his body from slumping down in the seat.
Garlic was struggling to maintain optimal positioning. His body kept sinking down in the seat. His athletic ability was astounding, but his body would not cooperate. Theis was acting as a support volunteer when he came up with a possible solution. He took the lanyard from his volunteer credentials and attached it to the top strap and around the back of Garlic’s neck. As a result, the strap stayed in place but was not so tight as to reduce mobility. Brent Garlic was now comfortable, upright, and ready to work on what he came here to do, perform as an athlete. Later, at the Opening Ceremonies, Theis was given the honor of escorting the Disabled Army Veterans into the stadium. Brent Garlic was there in line ready to enter the arena. As he passed by, Theis asked if the man remembered him from the rowing work out. Garlic said, “I have thought of you every time I put on that lanyard to row, and I probably always will.”
Over 50 Red Cross volunteers are active at the Warrior Games between May 26th and June 9th. Our organization is very proud to have the opportunity to serve those who have given so much of themselves in service to our country.
Learn more about the Red Cross Service to Armed Forces Program at www.redcross.org/SAF.
Learn more about the Wounded Warrior Games – 2018 at dodwarriorgames.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WarriorGames