First Sergeant DaTrelle Black served as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) tech in the armed forces for over 21 years. He risked his life to ensure others were safe.
While on tour in Iraq, DaTrelle was injured. DaTrelle was working to disarm an improvised device. But, as he approached the device to finish disarming it, it exploded.
The explosion burst both ear drums, broke both legs and an arm, nicked arteries, … Others rushed to his aid.
He was placed in a medically induced coma for two days, spent 6 months in physical therapy, and had another 9 months in occupational therapy. His body is still riddled with shrapnel, and he lost a finger to the explosion.
But, DaTrelle didn’t give up … As he says it - he returned down range and had multiple deployments after his recovery.
DaTrelle feels lucky and is eager to give back to other veterans with life altering limb loss. He serves as a Director of Warriors Prosthetic Initiative a non-profit seeking 501(c)(3) status.
Like DaTrelle, so many of our injured veterans want to - as DaTrelle says – “get back down range.”
For DaTrelle that meant down range in theater. But, for many veterans, it means returning to hobbies or careers they love – it means hunting, competing in a 3Gun match, or attending a PRS match.
Some even want to continue to serve like DaTrelle.
While the medical community does much for those with limb loss, the simple fact is - the world is not adapted to their specific needs.
The hobbies they enjoyed, the work they were trained for, and everyday activities are sometimes out of reach. This is particularly true with regard to power tools, gardening equipment, and sporting equipment, like firearms.
Veterans are trained to use firearms, but those who have suffered an upper body limb loss struggle to use firearms safely and effectively. Warriors Prosthetic Initiative went looking for a solution.
Warriors Prosthetic Initiative is working with LifeWork™ Adapter to make life easier for our fellow veterans.
LifeWork™ Adapter developed the SPIR device that enables those with upper body limb loss to safely and effectively use firearms, such as handguns and rifles.
In addition, LifeWork™ Adapter develops other devices for adapting power tools, gardening equipment and sporting equipment for use with prosthetics used by those with upper body limb loss.
-- Can be used with handguns, rifles, shotguns, and more.
-- Enables hunting, 3Gun competition, PRS competition
-- Allows for cycling and clearing the weapon.
-- Enables directional control of a firearm with the prosthetic.
-- Adapts Hosmer 5 hooks.
-- Fits a Picatinny rail.
Warriors Prosthetic Initiative is raising funds to give away adapters including the SPIR to injured veterans. For every $650 raised, we will be able to give away a set of SPIR devices for use with a handgun and a rifle.
If you are an injured veteran and are interested in receiving assistance, please contact us here.
Warriors Prosthetic Initiative, Inc. is a non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) status.
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