Brad Snyder lost his vision after he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan in 2011. Exactly one year later, he took home a gold medal in the 2012 Paralympics in London. After taking home seven medals in two Paralympics in swimming he is now training to make it to Tokyo as a Paratriathlete. …
Time for another edition of Talk Story with Bob Babbitt. I’m sharing some of my favorite stories that I’ve collected from my years in the wonderful world of endurance sports.This week it’s the story of Anthony Smith: Never Give Up Army Major Anthony Smith, a former scholarship athlete at Alcorn State University in football, basketball and track,…
Kirstie Ennis graduated high school at 15 and enlisted in the Marines when she was 17. After six years serving as an aerial gunner on helicopters, she survived a crash during a mission over Afghanistan but was seriously injured. Despite losing her left leg above the knee, undergoing 38 surgeries, and having to have her…
On Veterans Day, and everyday, Babbittville salutes all the incredible men and women who bravely served, and continue to serve, our country with dedication, honor, and commitment. Here is a collection of interviews with some of these awesome men and women, who are a part of our Challenged Athletes Foundation Operation Rebound program…. Carlos…
Colonel David Rozelle was the first soldier to lose a limb in battle in Iraq and then return to Iraq to lead his troops with a prosthetic leg. During his journey back from his injury he became a triathlete and finished the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. David was the first Operation Rebound athlete the…
Miles O’Brien is an award winning science journalist formerly with CNN and now with PBS. On February 12, 2014, his life changed forever when a camera case fell on his arm while he was working on a story in the Philippines. At first he thought he had simply bruised his arm. “It hurt, but I…
Daniel Casara was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and on September 23rd of that year the M113 he was on rolled over a tank mine. Two were killed and four, including Sergeant Casara, were seriously injured. He had bilateral fractures to his right tibia and fibula, a shattered left tibia, shattered heel and ankle bones…
Oz Sanchez was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident right after leaving the Marines to become a Navy SEAL. With the help and support of CAF’s Operation Rebound, Oz has been to three Paralympic games racing his handcycle and has won two golds, two silvers, and two bronze medals. “CAF paid for the medal,” he insisted.…
Evan Morgan was on his second tour of duty in Iraq on New Year’s Day 2005 when his vehicle hit an IED. Morgan ended up losing his right leg above the knee, his left leg below the knee, and his right eye. He was only 21 years old. Despite nearly 40 surgeries, he was able…
The date was April 4, 2004. Camp Taji is located 30 miles north of Baghdad, Iraq. Army Major Anthony Smith, a former scholarship athlete at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss. in football, basketball and track, was part of the 1st Calvary Division, 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “We were a special operations group that…