February 22, 2007 | Read Time: 1 minute
Photograph by J. Adam Fenster
More than 24,000 American soldiers have been wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq, and many of them must endure arduous, frustrating physical therapy. But a charity in Rockville, Md., that was started by two outdoor-sports enthusiasts is helping to make some veterans’ recovery more pleasurable.
Team River Runner takes wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington, on kayak rides so they can improve their flexibility, coordination, strength, and endurance.
The group was founded in 2004 by Michael McCormick, a White House stenographer and a former member of the U.S. whitewater-slalom team, and Joseph Mornini, a high-school special-education teacher and a kayak coach.
Mr. McCormick and Mr. Mornini, stirred to volunteer in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, started their charity after reading about combat veterans recovering from amputations.
Team River Runner, which has an annual budget of roughly $150,000 per year and is operated entirely by volunteers, raises money through two annual events — a spring gala and a competitive running-and-kayaking race held in Washington on Veterans Day.
In addition, the charity receives donations of kayak equipment.
The group has expanded its program to the Brooke Army Medical Center, in Fort Sam Houston, Tex., and plans to do the same at the National Naval Medical Center, in Bethesda, Md.
Many wounded veterans have told Mr. Mornini that, before joining Team River Runner, they would isolate themselves in their rooms when not doing physical therapy. Says the charity leader, “It helps them reconnect to that period of their lives they thought they lost.”
Here, Mr. Mornini assists a Marine with an amputated foot in building his strength by balancing in a kayak.
