ORLANDO, Fla. — U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Michael Britton knows something about hard work in the Army. He loved it so much that he did it three times. “I started as active (active duty),” said Britton. “I did five years as a [military police,] got out, went reserve, reclassed to combat engineer for three years, then I had a two-year break. Then I came back on active duty as an infantryman.”
He had a plan for his future, but an unfortunate accident happened. “I was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, got ran off the road into oncoming traffic while on my motorcycle, which resulted in me losing my right leg,” he explained. “I had an open fracture reduction in my right arm.” That happened on May 21, 2023. What a difference a year makes.”
Britton is competing with Team Army at the 2024 Department of Defense Warrior Games in Orlando in archery, field, swimming and track. “Archery is my favorite; it’s a challenge,” he said. “My arm is a lot stronger. I've done a lot of work to make it stronger. The most significant difference I've found in shooting archery today is putting more weight on my good leg for balance."
In addition to competing, he’s excited that his family from all over are here to cheer him on. “They are excited to be part of Team Army Nation.”
Britton admits he knew nothing about Warrior Games or adaptive sports until his recovery began at the Joint Base San Antonio, Soldier Recovery Unit and Brooke Army Medical Center’s Center for the Intrepid.
“I had to learn how to compensate for everything and balance because it's like walking on a stilt,” Britton added. “My [recreational] and physical therapy teams at the Center for the Intrepid helped me tremendously. Lorraine Currow at the SRU encouraged me to try out for the Warrior Games,” said the 33-year-old.
When he looks back on his time at the JBSA SRU, he shares his positive outlook in hopes others will embrace whatever impedes them as he did.
“Adaptive sports get you active, doubtless, and in public,” said Britton. “It gets you over that fear of people looking at you in public when you're different or missing a limb. It's truly a confidence booster that helps in everyday life. No matter your reason for being at an SRU, get out of your room and embrace your new normal. I mean, your leg isn’t growing back.”
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