Darci Marchese, wtop.com
WASHINGTON — If you know anything about wounded warriors, you know that they don’t let their injuries hold them back.
There’s a way you can help them achieve that goal this Veterans Day weekend.
On Saturday, Project VisAbility will hold 2011 Sweat for a Vet, a three-hour cycle and Krankcycle event at Tysons Sport & Health Club from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Krankcycles are stationary bicycles for your hands, used by people who don’t have the ability to use their legs.
If you can’t make it to Tysons, you’re not out of luck. More than 25 local health clubs are taking part locally as well as across the globe.
“We will stream it out to clubs all across the D.C. metro area, all across the U.S. and even outside the U.S,” says Project VisAbility President Debbie Miller. Clubs in the Czech Republic, Germany and in South America are participating.
Marine Corps Sgt. Carlos Evans, who calls Maryland home now, will lead the exercise event. He lost both of his legs and his left hand when a bomb exploded in Afghanistan. He was on his fourth deployment.
Evans now uses a hand cycle to stay in shape. Other wounded warriors who train on Krankcycles will also be taking part.
Everyone is invited to take part in the event. There’s a donation to sign up, and walk-ins are encouraged.
Miller says don’t be intimidated to take part.
“It’ll be a party,” she says. There will be a large screen, music and plenty of food.
You also can watch the streamed live video here on Saturday.
Of course, the group accepts donations as well.
Last year, the event raised more than $70,000. All the money was used to purchase exercise equipment for wounded warriors at area bases and forts. A majority of the equipment went to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Miller flew in from Florida to organize the event. She lived in Bethesda for 15 years and enjoys helping wounded warriors who rehabilitate in the Washington D.C. region. She hopes to make this an annual event.
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(Copyright 2011 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
