This year, for the first time in history, Ukraine will take part in the international Warrior Games competition. Excited to learn more about the phenomena of adaptive sports, the Warrior Games program, and how it can be a life-changing activity for many? If so, join our virtual public session with Jeff Lerner, Program Manager of the Warrior Games, Marsha A.Strawderman, Team manager for the US Invictus Games Team, Joshua Smith, US Air Force Warrior Games Team member, Olha Semenova, member of the Ukrainian Warrior Games Team selection committee and Oksana Horbach, coordinator of the Invictus Games and the Warrior Games in Ukraine.
Throughout the session, our guest speakers will share with you how the program connects veterans from different countries, from the USA to Canada, Ukraine, Denmark, Great Britain, and even Australia. Learn about what challenges await the first Ukrainian Warrior Games team and how they were chosen.
Our guest speakers will touch the challenges of rehabilitation of wounded warriors in the US and in the Ukraine and how sport can help wounded warriors in their path to recovery.
The Warrior Games is a Paralympic-style event demonstrating and celebrating the unconquerable spirit of wounded, ill, and injured service men and women. While it is competitive event, the Warrior Games are firstly about the indomitable spirit of wounded warriors, highlighting the resiliency needed to adjust to a new "normal." You can find more info about the competition here: https://bit.ly/3tJBV2w.
We will be streaming this event to our Facebook page on Wednesday, May 26, at 6:30 pm Kyiv time. Join us virtually and let’s build together a truly inclusive world where no one is left behind!
Invicted speakers:
Jeff Lerner is Program manager, DoD Warrior Games at United States Department of the Army. At the US Army Secretariat Mr. Lerner is responsible for the implementation of policy, governance, and resource support to sustain an annual Warrior Games. Mr. Lerner is Head of the US Delegation to the Invictus Games.
Marsha A. Strawderman is 23-year Air Force veteran, Branch Chief Warrior Care Support for US Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, managing 12 programs that provide non-medical support services to over 13,000 recovering service members, their families, and caregivers; Team Manager for the US Team since the first Invictus Games in 2014.
Joshua Smith is retired Tech Sgt. of the U.S. Air Force. During the Combat Survival training, Joshua was thrown into a culvert that led to multiple injuries. After sustaining several surgeries, Joshua joined Air Force Wounded Warrior Program. He took part in 3 consecutive Warrior Games in 2017, 2018, 2019, and in the 2018 Invictus Games. He’s co-captain for the 2020 Invictus Games Team US, where he’ll compete in WCB, WCR, cycling, indoor rowing, powerlifting, and athletics (track & field).
Olha Semenova, member of selection committee for the Warrior Games Team Ukraine. Trauma and crisis counselor, teacher in a joint Ukrainian-American program with Regent University (VA, USA). Psychologist-consultant, supervisor at the Center for Psychological Counseling and Trauma Therapy "Open Doors". Advises public and state organizations on the creation and training of teams, staff development. The author of the selection methodology taking into account both rehabilitation effect on the wounded warrior recovery, attitude, sport ethics and sports results while selecting the team of wounded warriors to represent Ukraine at Invictus Games and Warrior Games events.
Oksana Horbach, coordinator of the Invictus Games and the Warrior Games in Ukraine. Oksana launched Invcitus Games program for Ukrainian wounded warriors in 2016. Oksana has leaded on the management of Invictus Games and Warrior Games Team Ukraine in the build up to and during the Invictus Games 2017 Toronto, Invictus Games 2018 Sydney, Invictus Games 2022 the Hague, the 2021 DOD Warrior Games.
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