Three Amputee Veterans Summit Mt. Kilimanjaro

Team Sponsored by Disabled Sports USA and Challenged Athletes Foundation Tackled 19,340 Foot Climb to Raise Awareness and Inspire Athletes with Disabilities

Rockville, Md. – August 10, 2010 – Six days after they began their journey to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa, three veteran servicemen, all missing one or both lower limbs, reached their goal Saturday, Aug. 7, at 2 a.m. EDT.
The three climbers, from Disabled Sports USA’s Warfighter Sports program are: Retired Army Sgt. Neil Duncan, 26, Denver, a double leg amputee injured in Afghanistan; retired Army Staff Sgt. Dan Nevins, 37, Jacksonville, Fla., a double below knee amputee injured in Iraq; and retired Sgt. Kirk Bauer, JD, 62, Ellicott City, Md., a single above knee amputee injured in Vietnam. Bauer is executive director of Disabled Sports USA.

“Our message in this climb is to both our wounded military, who have made such a sacrifice to this great country of ours; and to people with disabilities throughout the nation,” Bauer said. “If three veterans from three wars and two generations with one good leg between them can climb the tallest mountain in Africa, then all with disabilities can choose to be active and healthy through sports.”

The team’s climb is part of Disabled Sports USA’s (DSUSA) Warfighter Sports Series, a schedule of challenge sports events that help military service members with permanent disabilities, such as amputated limbs, spinal cord injury, visual impairment or traumatic brain injury, reach the full potential through participation in extreme and endurance sports.

Blogs and photos can be found at www.warfightersports.org. The event was chronicled by award-winning photographer Reed Hoffman, through a grant from Microsoft Imaging. Another key supporter of the climb is Health Net, a medical services provider.

Other Corporations and Foundations that have provided substantial funding to help Disabled Sports USA provide much needed sports rehabilitation programs for severely injured service members are: U.S. Paralympics, DSUSA National Partner; The Hartford Insurance; Ariel Corporation; The Chart Group; Non Commissioned Officers Association National Defense Foundation; No Bats Baseball Club; Oshkosh Defense; PING; Tee it up for the Troops; Trijicon, Anthem Life, and Wounded Warrior Project.

About Disabled Sports USA
Founded in 1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans, Disabled Sports USA provides national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, recreation and educational programs for individuals with disabilities to rebuild their lives through sports, recreation and educational programs. DSUSA is a national multi-sport, multi-disability organization serving more than 60,000 youth and adults annually. A member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, DSUSA offers programs through its nationwide network of over 100 community-based chapters operating in 38 states. For schedules and additional information, visit www.dsusa.org or call (301) 217-9840.