Gene Calantoc turns a comeback into community

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After losing a leg, Gene

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found a new purpose in

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sport — and started helping

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others do the same.

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I'm Bennett Blackwood.

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This is Gene Calantoc, a

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retired Army staff sergeant and

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adaptive athlete in San Antonio.

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At June's Warrior Games, he

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joined competitors in a range

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of adaptive sports.

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Wheelchair basketball, rugby and other

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events gave him goals, teammates

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and a reason to keep moving.

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Here's how he described that turning point.

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Once I found out that I can play

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wheelchair basketball, rugby,

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pickleball, any sports.

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And that's when I thought, okay, I, you know,

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I still have a purpose in my life that I

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keep, keep competing.

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And the story kept growing

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after the Games.

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A September update from the

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Army Recovery Care Program says

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Gene helped start a wheelchair

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pickleball team in Texas.

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He's sharing what he's learned

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with newer athletes, and coaching

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his son's basketball team.

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The point goes beyond medals.

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It's a routine, a community,

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and a chance to help

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someone else discover what they can do.

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Gene is also a Move United ambassador.

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Our website links to that

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organization's general volunteer opportunities,

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supporting adaptive sport.

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