– Raising approximately $46,000 in 2015, the second annual Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes event earmarked funds to help veterans. Watch for one of our recipients
this year who is training for the US Paralympic Games. –

Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes is a sporting clay tournament benefitting TIRR Memorial Herman – The Woodlands and the Memorial Hermann Foundation to raise funds for rehabilitation for our military veterans.

Honoring and helping local injured veterans is the main reason for creating this event.

“Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes continues to be a resounding success and we thank all of our sponsors and participants for supporting our veterans,” stated Mike Karlins of Karlins, Ramey & Tompkins, Certified Public Accountants, and Event Host. “Last year we raised approximately $46,000 which is now benefitting several of our local veterans and one very inspiring vet who, with our help, will be training for the US Paralympic Games!”

In a thorough detailed screening process, TIRR Memorial Hermann – The Woodlands determined that Jeff Mellenthin and Richard F. fit the bill. “We wanted to make sure that we were going to be able use these funds to support those veterans whose insurance was not covering their treatment already,’ noted Mikael Simpson, OTR, MBA, Director of Inpatient & Outpatient Services TIRR Memorial Hermann – The Woodlands. “We are also able to work with some of our vendors to facilitate connections that our veterans need. We are thrilled to partner with Bustin’ Clays because it gives us the ability to help those veterans that are falling through the cracks because they cannot afford to get the treatment or help that they need.”

Jeff Mellenthin, a retired Air Force Flight Nurse served his country for 20 years. When deployed to Iraq, he was injured in the line of duty suffering paralysis in his back and hips. He retired in 2008 and unfortunately in 2014 he suffered a stroke further escalating his paralysis – that was the year Jeff decided that he had to reinvent himself.
All through his career Jeff was active and always on the go, now he suffered a paralysis that kept him immobile. He had the support of his wife and three children, but Jeff needed something to make him feel independent again.

In his search he met Ava Skrabanek. Ava is a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist that works at TIRR Memorial Hermann and is the Adaptive Sports Coordinator for the wheelchair basketball team, “Hot Wheels,” that won the 2014-2015 NWBA Championship. Intrigued with the handbike, Jeff decided to give it a try.

He had the strength in his upper body, but the hand cycles were not easy to find. Being a competitive guy, he borrowed one and used that to ride and train for the SW Valor Games in San Antonio, where he won a Gold and Silver metal. He was hooked.

Jeff averages 15 miles per hour when he rides with a local group of vets, and can peak to 20-25 miles per hour. He is currently training for the National Veteran’s Wheelchair Games to be held in Salt Lake City UT in June. He is also looking forward to competing in next year’s Veterans Independence Handcycle Ride.

“Help after a disability diagnosis is not always a priority for the VA, there are so many people that have immediate needs that post support seems to get put on the back burner. We all benefit from the knowledge of the older people in the disabled community that have different skills and those of us who can, do what we can to offer that support,” commented Jeff.

Initially Jeff was not able to find an affordable handcycle. “The equipment is so expensive and runs $10,000, where an able bodied person can get a used racing bike for much less,” he continued. “Without Ava and TIRR, I never would have been able to participate in these races or continue with my training.”

A handcycle is a type of human powered vehicle powered by the arms rather than the legs, as on a bicycle. Most handcycles are tricycle in form, with two coasting rear wheels and one steerable powered front wheel.

Jeff also rides his handcycle alongside a group of Vets riding regular bikes. “We all suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and riding helps us focus on something other than the ‘stuff in our heads’. We ride two times a week and help each other as a support group. Sometimes they even pull me up the bigger hills.” he said smiling.

Jeff’s story is an inspiration and shows the power of the human spirit. He not only motivates and inspires his group of ‘riding’ vets suffering from PTSD, but he is inspiring in his quest to train and participate in the US Paralympics Games.
With the help from Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes and TIRR, Jeff is able to get a new handcycle that is fitted for him to help him not only achieve his goals, but inspire others with his spirit and positive outlook.

“Being able to participate in the program is absolutely fantastic for me,” Jeff commented. “I couldn’t afford to buy the handcycle that I needed in order train or compete in races. Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes is awesome and I am looking forward to thanking everyone when I attend next year’s event.”

Richard F. served in the US Army and National Guard. After his Honorable Discharge, he has suffered from bouts of alcoholism. After undergoing an inpatient detox program, Richard was getting the detox help that he needed, but not the ongoing outpatient support and counseling to help stabilize his alcohol problems. The lack of ongoing support led to what Richard described as an inevitable relapse and a constant back & forth of periods of sobriety and relapse.

With the Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes funds, TIRR is collaborating with the Memorial Hermann Prevention and Recovery Center (PaRC) to pay the expenses to set up a detox program with the necessary ongoing outpatient counseling sessions that Richard so desperately needs. PaRC offers inpatient, outpatient and post-treatment programs along with family support sessions to give family members the tools they need to help their loved ones be successful. Richard began his outpatient program on September 9th, and is proud to tell you that he is currently sober and is attending his scheduled appointments 3 to 4 days a week. “We are grateful to every veteran for their sacrifice and their service, and we are committed to helping them successfully reintegrate back into the community and return to the life that they love,” noted Simpson.

Plans are underway for next year’s 2016 Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes scheduled for
Thursday, April 23, 2016 at Creekwood Shooting Sports in Conroe, so mark your calendar if you’re a sportsman, gun enthusiast or novice.

More Info About TIRR Memorial Hermann

TIRR Memorial Hermann specializes in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy for inpatients and outpatients affected by spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, amputation, multiple trauma and neuromuscular disorders.
For more information on TIRR please visit www.tirr.memorialhermann.org.

More Info About Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes

For more information on Bustin’ Clays for Our Heroes please visit our web site www.bustinclaysforheroes.com, www.memorialhermann.org/give-volunteer/foundation/bustin-clays/ or contact Veronica at 281.364.0245 or Cathleen at 713.242.4450.