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Captain rehabilitates with archery, receives adapted bow from American Legion

  • Published
  • By Erica Vega
  • Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs
A partially-paralyzed AFSOC Airman was presented a unique gift from the American Legion in a ceremony held here, Jan. 28.

Capt. Christopher Cochrane, an intel officer recently retired from AFSOC, received the adaptive compound bow from Albert Diaz, Veteran’s Service Director from the Florida headquarters.

Cochrane suffered a stroke in 2013 that left him paralyzed on his right side. After more than three weeks in a coma, he had to relearn how to walk and talk.

Hunting was his hobby before he joined the Air Force in 2007, and he’s rekindling his passion for archery to rehabilitate his body. The captain found out about the Military Adaptive Sports Program through Air Force Wounded Warrior Program.

“Finding the sports program gave me hope for the first time,” said Cochrane.

When he discovered that he could shoot an adapted bow with his mouth, the United States Special Operations Command's Care Coalition found the veteran's service organization as a sponsor to donate a specially adapted bow that he can operate with his mouth.

Donations for the $3,400 bow and accessories kit came from Legionnaires from across the country, according to Diaz. Several of the Legionnaires were in attendance at the ceremony, along with Cochrane’s family and coworkers.

“It’s been an awesome journey, from being angry to joyful and now trying to help others,” said Cochrane. “I feel very blessed being a part of this journey with the American Legion.”

Cochrane plans to master the new bow and qualify for the 2016 Warrior Games in June at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York. But he has less than a month before the Air Force trials at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

The now-retired captain is pressed for time to strengthen his arm and practice with the new bow.

Cochrane’s already drawn the attention of archery coaches and trainers, according to his wife, Ashley.

“He’s already a better shot that he’s letting on,” she said after the ceremony.

Cochrane was assigned to AFSOC ‘s intelligence directorate where he worked to establish a focused debriefing program that serves as the model for special operations units worldwide. Cochrane graduated from Auburn University in 2007.

The MASP assists in both the physical and mental recovery processes and works to improve the overall health and welfare of wounded, ill, or injured special operations forces, through exposure to adaptive team sports and activities.