But his plans were instantly derailed when a grenade launched by a fellow soldier in response to enemy fire was misfired, exploding just feet in front of Cole.
“The grenade blew up in my face and so did my career,” said Cole, who then went through two years of rehabilitation before being medically retired from the Army.
Cole struggled to adjust to life after his injury, not wanting to acknowledge how his abilities had changed.
“I put myself in the hospital before. I’d overdo it and have a seizure or suffer from exhaustion,” explained Cole. “I tried to do what I did before [my injury] and was discouraged when I couldn’t. I felt like I couldn’t contribute anymore. So I gave up—I almost gave up on life.”
It wasn’t until two years ago that Cole said he finally refused to let his injuries define him. “I’m finding a new way to do old things I enjoyed.”
Staying active had always been important to Cole. Through adaptive sports, he was able to reclaim that important component of his life.
First, he climbed back on a bicycle—a recumbent issued by VA.
“Before I started biking lower to the ground, I’d fall off so I gave up on working out,” said Cole. “Now I can ride again.”
The father of four also lifts weights, and can’t wait to try skiing. Residing in Nine Mile Falls, Washington outside Spokane, Cole had tried snowboarding post-injury at a local resort, but vertigo caused by his traumatic brain injury forced him to move slowly down the slopes.
Cole says that trying new things—or old things but in a new way—might be intimidating, but he encourages fellow Veterans to put themselves out there.
“Since my injury, I’ve learned to give everything a chance,” said Cole. He encourages other disabled Veterans to “step out there; you can’t allow yourself to be scared of everything.”
At what will be his first Winter Sports Clinic, Cole is looking forward to trying out a sit ski. His goal is to make it down the mountain at least one time. He knows it won’t be easy, but refuses to let fear define him as he tackles the slope.
“Adaptive sports has given me a bigger purpose,” said Cole. “Even though there are limitations, it’s not the end.”
It will be a new beginning for Cole in Snowmass.
About the event: Co-hosted by DAV and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic promotes sports therapy and rehabilitation through adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing, rock climbing, wheelchair self-defense, sled hockey, scuba diving and other adaptive sports and activities. The five day event in Snowmass, Colorado is a world leader in adaptive winter sports instruction for ill and injured Veterans and their families. Be inspired at wintersportsclinic.org.