In the summer of 2005, John W. Thompson walked into Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington, D.C., for the first time. He was there to have lunch with his wife, a medical resident at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. What he encountered that day would change the trajectory of his life. Witnessing the young men and women recovering from severe injuries was both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Thompson began volunteering with the American Red Cross (ARC) at WRAMC, determined to make a difference. This decision would eventually lead to the creation of Servicemembers Undertaking Disabled Sports (SUDS).
From Scuba Diving to Life-Changing Support
Thompson’s journey into service was deeply personal. A veteran himself, he served seven years in an Airborne Unit in the Colorado Army National Guard from 1985 to 1992. Though his service was during peacetime, his sense of duty to those who served during combat was unshakable. As a scuba diving instructor with years of experience teaching and guiding dive trips in the Caribbean, he saw an opportunity to bring his expertise to WRAMC’s aquatic therapy department. With the support of Colonel Barbara Springer, the hospital’s chief of physical therapy and a certified diver, Thompson launched a scuba diving program tailored to injured service members. The program offered more than physical rehabilitation; it became a source of camaraderie, confidence and mental well-being for veterans.
In February 2007, SUDS held its first scuba class. Inspired by a line from The Shawshank Redemption, the name originally stood for Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba. Support quickly poured in. Local dive instructors volunteered their time, and dive shops donated equipment. By the program’s second year, it had expanded to include certification dives in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba—a trip that drew national attention when HBO’s Real Sports documented the experience.
Expanding Horizons
The success of the scuba program motivated Thompson to broaden SUDS’ scope. With a background as a backcountry guide in Colorado and Utah, he introduced additional adventure sports to the program, including snow skiing, rock climbing, canyoneering, backpacking, fishing, mountain biking and whitewater sports. These activities continued the organization’s mission to help veterans rebuild their self-esteem, confidence and sense of purpose.
Today, SUDS stands for Servicemembers Undertaking Disabled Sports, reflecting its expanded mission while keeping the beloved acronym. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in San Antonio, Texas, serving post-9/11 veterans with permanent physical disabilities from across the United States. Adventure sports are not only a physical challenge but also a way for veterans to reconnect with the camaraderie they experienced during their military service.
A Legacy of Service and Support
SUDS is entirely free for qualified veterans, funded through donations and supported by a dedicated network of volunteers. The organization’s impact is profound, providing veterans with the tools to reclaim their confidence and rediscover joy through wilderness adventures.
For Thompson, SUDS is more than a nonprofit; it’s a life’s passion. Since its founding, SUDS has touched the lives of hundreds of veterans, helping them navigate life after injury with resilience and determination.
To learn more about Servicemembers Undertaking Disabled Sports or to support its mission, visit sudsusa.org or contact suds@sudsusa.org.
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