Bike program helping veterans stay physically active

Veterans that want to stay active but have chronic pain have been trying to figure out a way to maintain their activity without worsening their pain.

Now, with the help of the Veterans Affairs Clinic, they can.

The goal at the St. Joseph County VA Clinic is to lend a hand to veterans. Or maybe a pair of wheels.

Being a veteran is tough enough, now add in chronic pain that makes you unable to exercise, and life just gets more difficult. But luckily, thanks to people like Vincent Campbell, the Mobility Clinic is helping get physically active veterans back out there.

"They can't use a regular bike because of balance issues or back issues or other issues that keep them from using a regular bike, so we wanted to try out a bunch of recumbent bikes," said Vincent Campbell. "We have about 20 different bikes that will be coming in."

Many veterans are taking advantage of this program because they aren't able to continue exercising like they had been.

"Being a runner, I was running daily, but it got to the point where my lower back and my knees were just hurting too much to run anymore, so this program, through the prosthetics department, enables veterans like myself who can no longer do the things that they used to be able to do due to injury," said Don Lawson.

Those in the program are already seeing improvements and positive results, courtesy of the bikes.

"We're seeing weight loss, cardiovascular increase, mobility, less falls, we're seeing guys that have gotten bikes at the other clinics that we've done are actually a lot more mobile and recording that they can get around a lot better," said Campbell.

That's not all. Mental health benefits are also paying off.

"It's always fun being out on the road, bicycling just clears my head. Just being out without having any worries to worry about, just go," said Lawson.