Wounded veterans take to kayak course

WAUSAU – A special event in Wausau is allowing wounded veterans to trade their wheelchairs for kayaks this weekend.

The outing at Wausau Whitewater Park was organized by Team River Runner, a nonprofit group founded 10 years ago by kayakers in the Washington, D.C., area that now has chapters across the country.

Ken Braband, co-leader of Team River Runner's Milwaukee chapter, said through the efforts of instructors, volunteers, Wausau Whitewater members and others, about a dozen veterans are testing the Wausau whitewater in specially-outfitted kayaks.

"There's nothing quite as thrilling to some of these guys as going over whitewater rapids, to feel that water under your boat," Braband said. "For someone that may not be able to walk without a walker or even walk at all, being on a boat and being on the water is a great equalizer. Everybody is kind of on the same level."

This is the second year Team River Runner has held the event in Wausau. Braband calls it their biggest event of the year but says they're still trying to build awareness of it.

"Most people here are volunteers," Braband said. "We need to build our numbers. People just don't know about us; that's our main challenge."

Terrence Green, 55, of Bay View was one of the veterans kayaking on Saturday.

"I lost a ton of weight from kayaking and exercising, and it got me motivated to lose more weight and that's what I've been doing," Green said. "And I love it."

Green, a 23-year Army veteran, suffered a severe neck injury in a 2003 traffic accident that left him paralyzed for two and a half years. He now can walk with the help of a cane or walker, but still has no feeling from his stomach to his legs or on his left side.

"I can move, but I'm not as strong as I used to be," Green said. "To me, it was a blessing in disguise because I got to do things that a lot of people will never be able to do."

That list includes paddle boarding, snowboarding, skiing and rock climbing. And Green said he has at least one more thing he wants to try.

"Next year I'm going to jump out of a plane," he said. "My son's taking me. We're going to be doing it together."

Dave Stachovak, 67, of Wausau is an able-bodied veteran who spent his Saturday helping fellow vets take to Wausau's world-class kayaking course.

"I think it's great, especially for the guys that are hindered and have to sit all the time in a wheelchair or something, it gives them an opportunity to do things that they normally couldn't do," Stachovak said. "I think the more we can do for the handicapped veterans, the better."

Green called kayaking "very relaxing" and said it helps with his post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. He had nothing but good things to say about Wausau.

"The people are really nice," Green said. "People have bent over backwards for us vets. There's a lot of love here."

Bob Dohr can be reached at 715-845-0660. Find him on Twitter as @BobDohr1.