It's looking like it's going to be quite an eventful 2017. Just after an amazing life altering accident, things are picking up for me with the beautiful grace of life. I have recently accepted to work with an amazing foundation that helps people around the world and runs by the following motto; "In order to be involved, you must first show up." Quoted by Eric S. Linder, RMP, FAWM.
Team 5 Foundation is a non-profit SOFMED veteran foundation that provides medical care and education in the most overlooked remote areas of the world. These places are overlooked, extremely remote and forgotten places on the globe where other foundations just can’t reach or aren’t willing to go. The volunteer team educates local practitioners, runs medical & dental clinics, plastic surgery and reconstructive procedures, and then donates enough supplies for them to be self-sufficient. They even provide outpatient surgical procedures if necessary. Team 5 spends days traveling by different conveyances, including: military C130s, helicopters, boats, 4x4s and trekking by foot to reach their locations. They are the "Trail Blazers" of the remote medical world. As platinum-rated 501c3 non-profit organization, they rely on donations to run deployments.
See what they did for the world in 2016 in this short video below:
My first interaction with this sincere group of individuals comes from a few years back at my first Shot Show. I met Griff of Combat Flip Flops, he introduced me to an international side of helping people along with staying true to helping other Veterans and more. They have an interesting story as well, if you look on their website.
Assisting Veterans has always been a positive view of mine, I see it as fit with my ability to walk and breath, I should take care of my brothers and sisters as if they were my legitimate family... well, why? Being a Veteran myself; they are now, that's exactly why.
If I could I would help everyone, I've realized logistically it's not entirely possible. What we can do, is plan and execute ways in which our privileges can help where it is totally needed most. Utilize where you are good at, and maximize that potential. Where we can help, why are we not?
Team 5 embodies that. They have extreme knowledgeable staffing, incredible can do attitudes, and are efficient. As American ambassadors into different countries, applying this assistance is a beautiful thing and the teamwork from Team 5 and the hosting country supports that.
One of their ambassadors is Dakota Meyer, who is born and raised out of Kentucky, is the third living honorable recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War, and the first living United States Marine in 41 years to be so honored. Through networking and connections were able to supply Team 5 with a super decked out Tundra to help with all the medical missions.
The tundra build includes gear from North American Rescue, Hurst Tools, Winkler Knives, and Vetter Bags. To reach the remote places Icon has done the suspension, General Tires for the assisting treaded off-road tires, roof racks supplied by Equipment Expedition Outfitters and a Warn Winch held by an Expedition One bumper to the front of the Tundra Truck. To help with lighting, Vision X added over 10 different lighting options and an upgraded IR for night vision capabilities.
Assembled, built and customized up by Divine 1 Customs and Findlay Toyota. The wrap on the truck was donated by Patrick's Signs 3M Control Tac. See the truck below:
They've visited Central America and Southern America locations like Peru and Guatemala with more to come in 2017.
How will I be involved? Through medical assistance, where I get to utilize my Rescue abilities and EMT capabilities once I finish my civilian certificates. (Military and civilians have a little different rule play here..) I also get to share my involvement and adventures with this team with all of you. I'm more then happy to show you how we are helping the world and I hope it inspires each and every one of you to help in any way you can, no matter how small.
Please, to learn more and to follow their upcoming journeys, find them on Facebook, their Youtube channel and their website to spread word or donate. They also frequently post on twitter!