Airman’s love of competition fuels rehabilitation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joshua G. Moshier
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (AFPN) --  Competition more often than not brings out the best in people. Simply put, all parties involved must raise their effort levels to a point where they outperform the opposition; otherwise, they will fail.

The only difference for Senior Airman Brian Fenton, a 28th Operations Support Squadron air traffic control apprentice here, is he has had to learn to compete with limited use of his left arm since an automobile accident in November, 2003.

“I’d say my left arm is about a third of what it was before the accident,” Airman Fenton said. “There are certain doors I can open now, and I can hold pop cans, but I’ve basically learned to use my right hand most of the time.”

With that in mind, one would think it could be difficult enough relearning how to perform regular, day-to-day activities. In fact, Airman Fenton said the most frustrating moments for him are when he attempts to do things he never thought much about previously, such as tying his shoes. Still, he has found the determination and dedication to continue participating in intramural sports and other recreational activities -- and he is not just there as moral support for his teammates.

“Within two months of the accident, he was back playing sports,” said 1st Lt. Daniel Fales, 28th OSS airfield operations flight commander. “He’s played squadron and city league basketball, softball, soccer, racquetball, golf, bowling and flag football, and he’s done it all with basically one arm. And it’s not like the man sits the bench and is someone’s last pick. In fact, he’s one of the first people I pick when I’m putting a team together.”

Airman Fenton said getting back to participating in the games was important.

“I needed to do something to keep myself from getting bored or depressed about my arm,” he said. “I also realized that accident could’ve killed me, and there are people out there who are a lot worse off than I am. I knew some things were going to be hard, but I didn’t want to stop doing things that were a part of my everyday life because of my injury.”

That attitude has not only helped Airman Fenton with his rehabilitation, but he said it also has had an effect on his peers.

“With the physical training and testing in the Air Force, I’ve seen numerous people complaining about frivolous problems,” said Tech. Sgt. Mark Coleman, 28th OSS air traffic control watch supervisor. “And then there’s Airman Fenton. He continues to rise with an injury that would’ve benched anyone without his outstanding determination. I believe I push myself a bit harder because of him. It’s hard not to when you’re around someone who’s constantly giving 200 percent.”

Returning to the softball diamond proved to be his biggest athletic hurdle, Airman Fenton said. Swinging a bat with one arm would be tough enough, but he also had to learn to play the field with one arm. That meant he had to learn to catch the ball with his glove on his right hand, quickly remove the glove and retrieve the ball with his right hand, then throw it.

“That was tough to do at first,” he said, “but I just happened to have a friend back home whose father has no use of his left arm, and he still plays softball. So, he was able to teach me a few tricks on how to play the field with one hand.”

Perhaps more important than any secrets he was given was his personal persistence and resolve.

“There are people who can’t walk who still play basketball,” Airman Fenton said. “I knew I just had to keep trying until I did it right.”

He said it is his love for competition that has been one of his greatest motivating factors throughout his entire ordeal.

“I’ve always wanted to beat the guy next to me,” Airman Fenton said. “If I can’t beat him the first time, I’m going to keep trying and keep trying until I do beat him. I’m not going to let my injuries keep me from doing the things I want to do in life. I’m going to live it to the fullest.”