Getting vets back on track
Shaun Castle’s life has been anything but predictable.
He served as a U.S. Army Police Officer for five years, dedicating his life to service. One day during training, he badly injured his vertebrae. The injury led to multiple spinal surgeries, none of which were successful.
Castle ultimately realized he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
Looking for a fresh start, he moved from New York to Birmingham. In early 2012, Castle suffered a horrible allergic reaction to his pain medication, causing him to stop taking any kind of medication at all.
He recalls feeling overwhelmed with pain and uncertainty.
“For a year and a half, I didn’t know what to do,” Castle said.
Hope came for Castle while he was undergoing occupational therapy at the Birmingham VA Medical Center. A nurse mentioned a local facility that would alter his life forever.
“I had never heard of the Lakeshore Foundation,” Castle said. “I started working out two or three hours a day. Now, my life has changed 180 degrees.”
Castle now lifts weights and does cardio training six days a week. However, his real passion has become wheelchair basketball. He hopes to make the 2016 Paralympics and said the staff is determined to make this dream come true for him.
“The Lakeshore staff has gone unbelievably out of their way for me,” Castle said. “It’s been a great transformation to come out of military surgery and know I could go back to work.”
The Foundation’s Lima Foxtrot has served more than 1,800 severely injured servicemen and women with its year-round sport, fitness and recreation programming. Lakeshore’s facility off Lakeshore Drive offers tennis, cycling, scuba, two heated pools, indoor rock climbing, wheelchair basketball and more not just for veterans but also to improve the lives of people with disabilities around the world.
Additionally, the injured military program offers several weekend camps throughout the year for veterans and their families.
“Participants can come not just to have a good time but to exercise,” said Beth Curry, chief program officer. “There’s also a philosophical piece. We are hoping to plant new seeds.”
Specific programs include Operation Night Vision for those who have suffered serious eye injuries, Operation Down Home for veterans and their families, Operation Alpha for those who have suffered severe brain injuries and Operation Rise & Conquer, which offers challenging outdoor activities.
“It’s about transformation, feeling confident doing new things and feeling comfortable doing old things in a new way,” Curry said. “The camaraderie is a lovely thing to watch.”
Veteran WD Foster suffered a spinal cord stroke after a small rock hit him in the back during a physical therapy test in 2007. Foster first heard about Lakeshore while being treated at UAB and decided to try it out.
“I’ve been doing great.” Foster said. “I’m really enjoying the physical activity. I’m most proud because they taught me how to swim.”
Foster enjoys working out at Lakeshore Foundation because he feels comfortable in his surroundings.
“It’s great because you’re not the only person in a wheelchair,” Foster said. “Nobody is staring at you.”
For more information on the Lima Foxtrot programs, visit lakeshore.org/lima-foxtrot.