U.S. Air Force veteran Blanca Baquero-Cruz was introduced to the world of adaptive sports by the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program several years ago.
By 2019 she represented the Air Force in the Warrior Games in five disciplines – swimming, recumbent cycling, compound archery, air rifle and racing chair.
But, Baquero-Cruz didn’t own any of the equipment she had mastered using until she discovered Hope For The Warriors and its Warrior’s Wish Program.
“Adaptive sports have greatly improved my mental and physical health,” said Baquero-Cruz, a 20-year veteran who is on full disability because of severe PTSD, in a release. “However, I live on a fixed income in Alaska and cannot afford any adaptive sports equipment on my own. The equipment I have used in the past are loaners which must be returned.”
Baquero-Cruz decided about a year ago that it was time to search for help in obtaining equipment of her own. With some input from her friends at the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program and a little online investigation, she found the Warrior’s Wish Program.
She immediately went to work applying for her wish, an ICE (Inspired Cycle Engineering) Trike with e-assist, which would allow her to cycle year-around in Alaska.
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“Cycling is one of the only sports that gets me out of the house, provides exercise and helps me feel good about myself again. I would also finally be able to join fellow veterans in weekly trail rides which would be a dream/wish come true,” she said in a release.
The Warrior’s Wish program granted Baquero-Cruz’s wish by gifting her an ICE Trike valued at over $11,000. The ICE Trike is a recumbent, three-wheeled bike, outfitted with balloon tires and other enhancements that allow navigation in Alaska’s rugged weather and terrain 365 days a year.
“My biggest life challenge is finding safe ways to enjoy the outdoors. My mental health and physical health always suffer when I’m confined inside for the long dark winters,” she said. “To have a bike that I can ride year-around with fellow disabled persons is a game changer. I was limited with other borrowed recumbents due to the terrain. However, with this new trike, I can go with my friends on any trail without worrying about the hills and my physical ability to pedal up them.”
Baquero-Cruz typically takes one to two-hour rides with volunteers from a local adaptive sports organization.
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“We are so pleased we were able to fulfill Blanca’s wish and give her the chance to get back outdoors, getting exercise and spending time with friends,” said Robin Kelleher, co-founder and CEO of Hope For The Warriors.
Cycling in Alaska can be a challenge to any rider, especially in the winter.
“I typically wear the same gear that I would wear for Nordic skiing. I wear a cold-weather skull cap under my helmet and on colder days a neck gaiter or balaclava. The gloves have to be nimble enough to operate the brakes and gears while withstanding the colder elements,” said Baquero-Cruz, who was a linguist during her 20 years in the Air Force.
She said you have to schedule rides around limited daylight hours in the winter with only five to six hours of daylight available daily.
Since 2006, Hope For The Warriors has provided almost $2.5 million in grants, assisting with 251 wishes.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.