Photo By Marsha Moore | (Photo by Marsha Moore) Master Sgt. David Gates is about to take aim before air rifle...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Tx. - Master Sgt. David Gates is moving from one competitive sport practice to another, embracing who he is with and where he is now. “I’m proud to represent the Army and my country. I’m proud to be part of something that’s bigger than myself. And I would be proud to be part of a team with these people at Warrior Games,” said Gates who has served on Active and Reserve duty in the Army.
Gates says the adaptive sports world is new to him. After 27 years in the Army as a Military Police Officer, he found himself vulnerable in the blink of an eye. "I was at a leadership conference in New Orleans last June and I had a stroke. It was weird, I tried to stand up and was sweating. Someone walked by and saw me and knew exactly what was going on and I am so thankful for that. My leadership called the ambulance made sure I got to the hospital, and they put a stint in the back of my neck,” said the Boston Native.
He was unconscious for a couple of days and awoke to speech and balance issues. “My speech is getting better, but you don’t realize how important your balance is until you don’t have it.” Just standing up I have to wait on the side of the bed and wait a second before I feel stable. I don’t just get up and get out of bed and go anymore, and that’s OK.”
Gates recovered at the Fort Benning Soldier Recovery Unit as he lives in Fayetteville Georgia now and that made him happy, he could recover close to home. There are 14 Soldier Recovery Units around the country with support for our wounded, ill and injured Soldiers. Gates says Fort Benning’s SRU is topnotch! “The SRU is very helpful, I can’t even begin to tell you, but it also takes you wanting to get better. I am adjusting to the new me with their help through physical and occupational therapy. I will always try to improve. I will never settle,” said Gates.
Utilizing the option of adaptive sports is helping Gates build the confidence that he says will help in competition and as he moves forward in life. “You must understand your new normal and work to get better. For me, I realize this will be for the rest of my life. It’s OK to keep trying to get better so you feel comfortable with yourself.”
Gates will compete in air rifle, rowing, and archery. He is ready to see for himself how far he’s come with the help of his coaches and other adaptive sports professionals. “Two of the events are very balanced focused. I’m looking forward to these events and focusing on my balance through concentration, which they taught me how to do.”
He says if he is trying that’s all that matters. “I’m going to do my best. I have the best people helping me so I’m going to leave at all out there!”
| Date Taken: | 04.05.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2025 08:42 |
| Story ID: | 494662 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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