Wounded warrior uses competitive sports for therapy, exercise Published April 8, 2011 By Wayne Crenshaw 78 ABW/PA ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- A motorcycle accident cost Timothy Anderson his right leg and his career in the Air Force, but it gave him a new purpose in life. In 2005, Anderson was serving at Robins as a computer technician and had just made staff sergeant when the accident occurred. He was heading home from work when someone pulled in front of him, and he hit the vehicle. Police estimated he flew 75-100 feet, even though he was only going 35 mph. His leg was severely damaged. For three years doctors tried to save it, but in 2008 they decided amputation would be the best option. Before the accident, Anderson was 225 pounds and worked out often. Ten months after the accident, he weighed 400 pounds and no longer exercised. After losing his leg, however, a friend invited him to a sports camp for disabled veterans. For the first time since the morning of the accident, he engaged in physical exercise. That day, he turned to sports to recover mentally and physically from his loss. "When I was in the Air Force I had a lot of confidence because I had an important job. After the accident, I lost confidence in myself," Anderson explained. He's since traveled around the country to compete in events for disabled veterans, and won gold in discus, shotput and javelin at the State Games of America. He recently was selected to represent the Air Force in the Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Col., an Olympic-style event in May open to wounded and injured military members and veterans. Anderson will compete in discus, shotput and sitting volleyball, in which competitors sit on the court and can only move if their buttocks stay on the floor. Anderson said attending sports camps helped restore his confidence and taught him how to compete safely with his disability. He is now working on helping do the same for others. He started the Sports Champions of America organization with the intent of bringing a permanent sports camp for the disabled to Middle Georgia. The organization has a board and is working on becoming a certified non-profit, he said. People who want to find out more can visit www.disabledchampions.org. Today, Anderson also spends more time feeling grateful he survived the accident than feeling bitter over what he lost. "Now I feel if I put my mind to it I can accomplish anything," he said. "I try not to think about the past so much. I was spared that day for a reason."