Stryker Brigade News

It's the first time water-skiing for Cuthbertson, 31, of Dillon, Mont. "I'm right-handed and my right hand was the worst injured," he says. "I never thought I could come out here and do this with one hand. It kind of makes you want to go for more, once you find out you can do it. I want to ski standing up now."

He and 31 other veterans severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan spent the weekend rediscovering their passion for rigorous outdoor activities. For some, the boost to their self-confidence was obvious as they did things they hadn't done since before they were wounded.

Veterans and their guests were brought here from 11 states by the Lakeshore Foundation, a Birmingham non-profit that helps people with physical disabilities enhance their lives, rebuild self-esteem and live more independently through fitness, recreation and athletics.

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Each soldier is allowed to bring a guest. Brian Pearce brings his wife, Angie, and their children, Jordan and Logan. Pearce, a sergeant with the Army's 172nd Striker Brigade, felt he had to bring the kids.

"It's great just being able to show these kids, my kids, that I can still do some of the things I used to be able to do," says Pearce, 37. "That part of it has been important to me. Knowing that I can still do stuff has been important to them."

Pearce, who lives in Mechanicsville, Va., has severe traumatic brain injury from an IED. He is legally blind, has hearing loss in both ears and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Angie Pearce says their daughter, Jordan, 9, and son, Logan, 8, have relished the activities they've done as a family — like tubing on the lake and fishing.

Raezer says programs that include a soldier's family are best "because these folks have sacrificed a lot, and they need their family to put their arms around them."

Brian Pearce says he'll keep pursuing the kinds of activities he re-discovered over the weekend. "I think they need one of these programs anywhere they have a group of soldiers," he says.