Occupational therapy assists in healing process

Photo by Charmain Z. Brackett Staff Sgt. David Burnett, ( seated), tries out a piece of rowing equipment as George Fry of the Augusta Rowing Club watches to make sure he maintains correct form and posture. Being part of the Warrior Transition Battalion's occupational therapy program has been a godsend for Sgt. Jeanette Thompson.

"Doing the OT stuff has been the best therapy," said Jeanette Thompson, who injured her back in theater and takes part in any OT program therapist Judie Thompson introduces.

Through Judie's connections with the nonprofit group Champions Made from Adversity, a new partnership with the Augusta Rowing Club is being forged. Soldiers had their first opportunity for a glimpse into the world of adaptive rowing on Aug. 13.

Before they tried out training equipment, George Fry of the Augusta Rowing Club gave them a little history behind the sport.

"Rowing is the only sport that can trace its history to capital punishment," said Fry.

Then he showed them a clip from the 2004 Athens Olympics which featured a male rower who had trained in Augusta at one time and featured rowers with hearing and visual impairments.

Rowing is a total body exercise, and proper technique is important in preventing injury.

Since the legs and back play a large role in the sport, Jeanette Thompson used a different piece of equipment which only worked her upper body eliminating stress on her lower body. Staff Sgt. David Burnett tried the regular rowing machine.

"It's a lot more complicated than it looks," he said. "I expected there to be more resistance."

Judie Thompson said she is unsure where the adaptive rowing program will lead. For now, the Soldiers will stay on land, but there is a hope to eventually get them in the water. Langley Pond in Aiken County is an alternative to the swift currents and depth of the Savannah River. Adaptive rowing on the pond would require different types of boats. Adaptive boats have pontoons on either side to provide additional stability.