By Jay Chantler
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The newly founded non-profit chapter of Tuckasee AMBUCS, along with the help of the ClarksVillain Rollergirls roller derby team honored a local war veteran, Bryan Camacho, last weekend with a special half-time presentation of an AmTryke recreational handcycle during a bout at the Clarksville Speedway last Saturday.
Bryan received an injury during his third tour of duty seven years ago while serving in Iraq. His convoy was hit by an IED, and he lost the use of both legs.
Bryan became involved in the roller derby scene when he met the Red River Sirens through their donations to the Wounded Warrior Project. He instantly fell in love with roller derby. Since then, Bryan has been an active part of the roller derby scene in our surrounding area, helping both the ClarksVillain Rollergirls and the Red River Sirens as a non-skating official, scoreboard keeper, audio-visual expert, and referee.
The ClarksVillain Rollergirls are a local not-for-profit organization promoting sisterhood through a competitive full-contact sport, while giving back to the community. In the past, they have made charitable contributions to Manna Cafe and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
The Tuckasee chapter of AMBUCS was founded in January of this year. Through their Veteran Initiative Program, Tuckasee AMBUCS are providing hand and foot powered AmTrykes to veterans with disabilities to help them maintain an active lifestyle. The AmTryke presented to Bryan is valued at $1,400 and features a hand pedal with a rear disc brake and a front caliper brake. It will allow him to cruise the Clarksville Greenway this summer, keeping up with his friends from both the Red River Sirens and the ClarksVillain Rollergirls as they work on their conditioning and stamina.
Photo by Deborah Bartosiewicz