Providing encouragement and counseling for other amputees has become a serious interest for Heath. During his rehabilitation at Walter Reed, Heath became acquainted with the Wounded Warrior Project. The shared experiences of the groups members proved to be invaluable to him during his recovery and later he wanted to so the same for others. So he began sharing his experiences, successes, struggles and the unique challenges that amputees face daily. Eventually, the group asked him to be a spokesperson and now he meets with, and counsels the newly injured around the country. He also became an Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) certified peer visitor. Through this organization he makes himself available to others who have lost limbs and provides emotional and informational support to them.
Additionally, Heath actively works as an advocate for the needs of the wounded soldier. His most notable accomplishment was helping to get the ³Wounded Warrior Bill passed through Congress in 2005. Known as traumatic injury protection, the legislation financially assists wounded soldiers and their families during the months, and sometimes years, of grueling rehabilitation.
During his recovery, he was introduced to various adaptive sporting events and he immediately became an enthusiast. It seems that there is not a sport that Heath is not willing to try and, according to many, in which he doesn¹t excel.
Just five months after he was injured he attended a Winter Sports Clinic in Aspen, Colorado where he attempted snow skiing for the first time. He initially tried to learn how to snow board but found it very difficult to balance on his prosthetic legs. A friend encouraged him to try skiing using a mono-ski. After the first day of skiing he was hooked! Heath was awarded the Challenge Aspen Inspiration Award, not just for his athleticism, but awarded to the one person “who best embodied the spirit of inspiration on and off the snow.” His passion for snow skiing continues today as he is training for a slot on the U.S. Paralympic Ski Team to hopefully once again represent the U.S. in the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.
In the spring of 2005, Heath, another wounded service member and an able bodied individual set out to raise money and awareness for other wounded service members. Their goal was to cycle across the United States. They began in Los Angeles and ended 4200 miles later in Montauk, New York. Since Heath is missing both legs, he used a special hand-cycle and had to use his arms and upper body to pedal the 4200 miles! Their endeavor is documented in the Showtime Original Production "Home Front".
While Heath was trying to be active again and participate in various athletic events, he still found he was limited by having to use a wheelchair for his mobility. After leaving Walter Reed, he tried several times to have prosthetic legs made that would allow him to walk again but nothing worked and it was a very painful process for him. It was now two and a half years post injury and he had given up on using prosthetics for walking and accepted that he would have to rely on a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
In June 2006, Heath attended the Amputee Coalition of America national conference in Minneapolis where he was asked to speak to some of the attendees about hand-cycling. Another injured service member had heard about a workshop being given focusing on bilateral above knee amputees and prosthetic solutions. He contacted Heath the day before and demanded that he attend the workshop in hopes that it would maybe show him that walking was possible with the right equipment and therapy.
The workshop brought together several bilateral above knee amputees that are full-time prosthetics users. This workshop is about exploring possibilities, says moderator Kevin Carroll, MS, CP, FAAOP, Hanger V.P. of Prosthetics. Its a great venue for highlighting improvements, sharing experiences and fine-tuning skills. And for someone like Heath, it can open a door and change a life.
Heath reluctantly attended the workshop as he felt he had exhausted every avenue to allow him to walk again. But when he entered the room, he saw several bilateral above knee amputees walking around with no canes, no crutches, no walkers and no wheelchairs! This was the first time he had ever seen a bilateral above knee prosthetic user being so independent and it really peaked his interest. As the meeting progressed, Heath witnessed bilateral above knee amputees, running, driving a normal unmodified car, walking down hills, playing golf, swimming and many more daily activities. He decided at that time to give prosthetics one last shot and contacted the company that was having such great success with this level of amputation. He had no idea that his decision was about to totally change his life forever!
After training in short prosthetic legs for several weeks, he was fitted with new sockets and computerized knees. Several days after being fit, he was up and walking independently, without using canes or crutches. More importantly, he was starting to realize that it might be possible to never have to use a wheelchair again.
His new legs and his newly found mobility energized Heath. Today, he is not only walking, but running, swimming, golfing and even hiking. He has not used a wheelchair once since July 5, 2006, the day he was fit with his prosthetic legs.
In November, he was part of a three person amputee relay team at the Challenged Athletes Triathlon in San Diego, completing a 1.2 mile swim event in 39:00 minutes and with record tide levels.
And while his new legs have given him the ability to try many new sports and activities the rewards of being able to walk go beyond athletics. My prosthetic legs give me the option to do things on my own. To go out by myself, be spontaneous and more independent. If I want to take my son Mason to the driving range and hit a bucket of balls, or carry my two daughters around the house, I can just do it. Just knowing that is the best thing.
In May 2007, Heath was honored by the Wounded Warrior Project at their annual fundraising gala held in New York City. He was awarded the George C. Lang Award for Courage in honor of the amazing achievements he has made since he has totally left the wheelchair.
He competed in the Endeavor Games for People with Physical Disabilities in Edmond, Oklahoma. At the event, Heath ran in the 100 and 200 meter sprint races. This was the first time he had competed in an official track meet. He took the Silver Medal in both events!
But the most amazing moment came after the 100 meter race. Heath, his wife Tiffany and son Mason were walking together to the start line to prepare for the 200 meter race. His son paused for a moment and said, Hey dad, will you run with me? to which Heath responded, Sure son, let's run to that second tree and back. They both took off like a shot. What an amazing moment to once again be a dad that is not limited by his tragic injuries he sustained in Iraq.
Heath continues to lead the way and now drives a normal car without any modifications to the vehicle. He even owns and drives a manual transmission vehicle using his right prosthetic leg to safely go between the gas and brake pedals while the left leg operates the clutch. Being able to drive any vehicle is something I never thought I would ever be able to do. After I was injured, I was told I would have to use special hand controls to drive. I am glad to say that is not the case at all. Hopefully others with similar injuries to myself will see some of the things I am doing and they will know it is possible for them as well, said Calhoun.
He played in his first golf tournament, the 2007 National Amputee Golf Tournament in Aurora, Illinois. While he didn¹t win the tournament, he did shave 24 strokes off of his best 18 hole total and met a lot of amazing amputee golfers. I had a great time at the tournament. I have only been playing golf for about a year so for being so new to the game I feel pretty good. It was a three day tournament and I scored my first par on a par four hole, said Calhoun.
Currently his main focus is to become a better ski racer. Heath is a certified mono-ski instructor and is training with the USOC Veterans Paralympic Performance Program (VP3) Alpine Skiing program at Challenge Aspen in Colorado. His goal is to earn a spot on the U.S. Paralympic Ski team and compete in the winter games in 2010. Nothing would make me more proud than to be able to represent the United States at a world class competition and hopefully bring home a gold medal for our country, said Calhoun.
He continues to dedicate his time to meeting with other wounded soldiers at Walter Reed and other military hospitals to deliver the message of hope and courage that he lives everyday.
Heath Calhoun currently lives in Salem, VA with his wife Tiffany and their three children, Mason, Brystal and Bailee.