New rehab center opens for wounded warriors

Service members, families can recover together

SAN ANTONIO – It is a unique rehabilitation facility and, not surprising, it has been built for our wounded warriors.

The facility, called Freedom Park, is all outdoors and is located on the San Antonio Military Medical Center campus and covers about five acres.

Several items add to the uniqueness: There is a track that winds through the park, four rehab stations that allow service members to do various kinds of strength and conditioning exercises -- such as pull-ups and sit-ups and crunches -- along with climbing ropes and cargo nets.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the park the berm constructed to imitate hilly terrain.

"This is really going to open up a lot of options for the guys to get out  and push themselves," said U.S. Army Sgt. Jeramy Migues.

There are a couple of other huge advantages to the park.

For one, it is close to the other facilities so service members don't have to worry about transportation to get to a place that is outdoors.

"We have to test to see if they are going to be functional in life-like events outdoors," said Johnny Owens, director of limb salvage rehab for the Center for the Intrepid.

The facility is also family friendly. 

There is a huge water feature, a sports and playground area and a 300-seat amphitheatre for concerts and presentations and sporting events.

"Stuff like this is huge and the payoff is 10-fold (in) the feeling of self-worth and self-efficacy that they build, " Owens said.

The facility was built with donations and volunteers and coordinated by the nonprofit organization, Returning Heroes Home.

If you want more in formation on their organization, visit their website


About the Author:

David Sears, a native San Antonian, has been at KSAT for more than 20 years.