On February 2nd, I attended a climbing clinic in Washington D.C., to assist disabled American Iraq War vets. I was returning from Utah and a tragedy involving the death of my climbing partner. I considered canceling my involvement but felt that I could glean wisdom and perspective from individuals who were moving through death and loss and into acceptance and life. I was right. It was rad. After the event we radiated with smiles and positive energy. In fact, a group of us partied until 5am.

We survive. We continue. We make choices. My choice: to live each day with conviction, striving for health and happiness and to learn to coalesce with death as much as life.

Thanks to Captain DJ Skelton for the invitation.

Words by John J. Kruzel, American Forces Press Service   •    Images by William D. Moss

Disabled Sports USA and Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project sponsored the event that brought three double-leg amputees, two single-leg amputee and one soldier blinded during combat together to transcend their handicaps and climb toward recovery.

"These guys keep pushing themselves, pushing their limit, and we're just here to facilitate it," U.S. Army Capt. D.J. Skelton, the program organizer, said. "All we did is set the stage so that when these guys were ready and had the confidence to take the step out, it was there for them."

Since she lost both legs in December 2005, Marissa Stroch, a 21-year-old Military Police soldier, wondered if she could still climb.

"A week ago in physical therapy, I heard them say 'rock climbing' and I said, 'Oooh Oooh, pick me! Pick me! I wanna go!'" she said. "When I came in today, I said, 'I'm either going to end up leaving here really angry with myself, or really happy.'"

Shrapnel blinded U.S. Army Capt. Scotty Smiley during combat in Iraq, yet his disability couldn't keep him from climbing a 50-foot wall, the gym's tallest rock.

When asked if he was nervous, Smiley joked, "Nah, I'm not afraid of heights. I can't see the ground." As the voices get farther and farther away, I know I'm getting higher and higher," he said. "I don't know how high I am, but I know I'm going up."

Disabled Sports USA and Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project are partners in the Defense Department's America Supports You program. The program highlights activities corporations; grassroots groups and private citizens are doing to support the men and women in uniform.