Veteran Ed Salau shares his powerful story with students

By: Lauren Collins

Posted: 12/4/08

Ed Salau, an 11-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and Veteran of the Army National Guard who lost his leg in combat to a rocket-propelled grenade, spoke to students and faculty in the Carol Belk Building on Friday, Nov. 21 in contribution to this year's 12th Annual Adapted Sports Day, which honors both the Wounded Warrior program and the 2008 Olympics/Paralympics.

"This year's Adapted Sports Day is a celebration of our patriotism, the wounded warriors that have fought for our country and the variety of possibilities that are available through adapted sports for everyone to stay active regardless of obstacles that may be present," said associate director of ECU Campus Recreation and Wellness, David Gaskins.

Despites Salau's setbacks, he has successfully received certification as an adapted ski instructor, has climbed Mount Rainier and has hand cycled and run in several marathons.

Salau currently works at Camp Lejeune's Wounded Warrior Battalion as the Veterans Service Organization's and Charitable Organization's liaison.

As Salau discussed his injury and recovery process with a smile, he quoted Theodore Roosevelt: "Do what you can with what you have, where you are."

He stated that this particular quote was one that was extremely beneficial during his injury, though he was reluctant to ask for help at first.

"There are two types of amputees," Salau said. "Those who fall and those who fall again. When I fell I couldn't help but think 'oh, that's weakness;' I was a lieutenant, I had power."

He laughed to himself as he admitted to students and faculty, "It's a guy thing, a pride thing, where you don't want to ask for help."

Though recovery was difficult, Salau said he wanted to recover for his children. He said his main goal is not winning any awards or medals, but being a capable father.

"Life is not a race. There is no metal or prize[s] at the finish line, you just do it," Salau said.

He addressed the students and faculty who are currently striving to work in the occupational therapy fields in the future to "do the right thing, say the right thing, and be right all the time." Salau reiterated the importance of asking for help and offering it to others on a regular basis. He encouraged them that if a child says, "I can't" the statement should be redirected to "how can I?"

There are a number of struggles to overcome as an amputee, including the acceptance of one's loss, but the support of family and friends is essential for recovery, Salau said.

Salau commented on a soldier who was receiving care two rooms down from him while in the hospital. This particular soldier had lost both legs and an arm, but was recently pictured on the cover of a wakeboarding magazine "with his stump held high," Salau said.

Salau encourages amputees to stay motivated and remain active. If someone is injured or handicapped in some way, they are encouraged to continue to participate in activities that prevent them from becoming inactive.

Salau's wife, Dawn, hosts the Reindeer Dash for Cash. The Charity 5K and 10-mile run, which is now in its fourth year, is held at the Greenville Town Commons in memory of Christopher Cash, who lost his life in Iraq.

The fundraiser benefits the Captain Christopher S. Cash Memorial Foundation of N.C. Inc., which annually funds scholarships at educational institutes. Salau hopes to participate in the Dash for Cash this year, which will be held on Dec. 7 at 1 p.m.

The Adapted Sports Day included a number of activities for people with or without disabilities, including wheelchair volleyball, slalom course, bowling and billiards, tai chi, hand cycling, racquetball, wheelchair rugby, shuffleboard, quad rugby, power/wheelchair hockey, inner tube water polo and bocce'.

The event was sponsored by ECU's Department of Campus Recreation and Wellness Adapted Recreation program, the College of Health and Human Performance, Pitt County Community Schools & Recreation and the local community's Support Team for Active Recreation.

This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.