At 79, Marine Corps Veteran Douglas B. Hatch was paralyzed by Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome, a condition in which the body attacks its nerves. Now 83, he\u2019s training to compete again in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.<\/p>\n
Hatch served in the Marine Corps from 1960 to 1965 with Marine Air Control Squadron 9. He worked in aviation electronics and intelligence, tracking aircraft and handling classified information.<\/p>\n
He deployed to Japan, Taiwan and Korea, keeping missions on track and Marines safe.<\/p>\n
The discipline and pride he carried in uniform has stayed with him ever since\u2014and he leaned on that warrior mindset when the invisible foe started tearing his body down.<\/p>\n
In 2021, at 79, Hatch began experiencing a strange weakness in his arms and legs. Within five days, he couldn\u2019t move, sit, speak or even swallow\u2014he was fully paralyzed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After two emergency admissions to his local hospital, Hatch was transferred to VA Salt Lake City Health Care System for more testing and intensive care.<\/p>\n
He was diagnosed with Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome (GBS), a rare condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves by mistake. The damage interrupts signals from the brain to the muscles, causing rapid and sometimes severe paralysis.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just a blob of unresponsive protoplasm,\u201d Hatch said. \u201cI couldn\u2019t do anything on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n
A year later, after continued symptoms, he was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)\u2014a long-term form of GBS. He was readmitted to VA and underwent plasma exchange therapy, which removes harmful antibodies from the blood.<\/p>\n
During his recovery, Hatch spent nearly seven months at inpatient rehabilitation at VA Salt Lake City.<\/p>\n
Speech therapy helped him speak again. Physical therapy rebuilt his core strength so he could sit upright. Occupational therapy restored enough coordination so he could drive his power chair, first with his chin and then with his left hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d always been right-handed,\u201d he said. \u201cBut you work with what you\u2019ve got. I adapt.\u201d<\/p>\n
To manage the long-term effects of CIDP, Hatch receives regular intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions, a treatment that helps prevent his immune system from attacking his nerves again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got about 40% to 50% movement in my arms, maybe 25% to 30% in my legs,\u201d he said. \u201cI still don\u2019t have much use of my hands and none in my feet. But I get around with my power chair and some help when needed.\u201d<\/p>\n
To continue outpatient therapy after inpatient rehab, Hatch moved in with one of his daughters in Salt Lake City. His home in Vernal was nearly 200 miles away, and local services weren\u2019t enough to sustain his recovery.<\/p>\n
Living with her made it possible to attend therapy almost every day, something that would\u2019ve been impossible without her support.<\/p>\n
Today, he\u2019s back home in Vernal. His wife, now 85, is his full-time caretaker.<\/p>\n
Their daughters remain instrumental. One remodeled their home to allow for his safe mobility, and the other, a retired Army nurse, still supports his travel for competition and care when needed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve been part of the mission the whole way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
During one of his outpatient sessions, Hatch met Shannon O\u2019Rawe, a VA Salt Lake City recreation therapist. She invited him to a group of Veterans involved in adaptive sports.<\/p>\n
Some were in wheelchairs; others were able to walk or stand. It was Hatch\u2019s first time seeing others recovering and competing after life-altering injuries and diagnoses.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know support like this even existed,\u201d Hatch said. \u201cEven with my limited mobility, I decided to try.\u201d<\/p>\n
He joined the Mountain States Outlaws, VA Salt Lake City\u2019s wheelchair team.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike other first-timers, he was skeptical,\u201d O\u2019Rawe said. \u201cBut he kept showing up. He put in the work. I\u2019m incredibly proud of him and how far he\u2019s come.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2024, he earned gold in adaptive bowling and silver in the power chair rally at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in New Orleans, Louisiana.<\/p>\n
He followed up with gold in 9-ball, a pool game where you have to sink the 9-ball to win, but each shot must start by hitting the lowest-numbered ball on the table first; and air pistol; silver in air rifle and bronze in bowling at the National Veterans Golden Age Games in Salt Lake City.<\/p>\n
Now 83, he\u2019s preparing for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which will be held July 17\u201322, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.<\/p>\n
The National Veterans Wheelchair Games, organized by VA\u00a0and\u00a0Paralyzed Veterans of America, help Veterans with disabilities improve their independence, health and quality of life through wheelchair sports and recreation. Learn more about the National Veterans Wheelchair Games<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hatch trains when he can. His setup includes a 10-meter outdoor range for air pistols and rifles. He practices when weather and support allow. He also practices 9-ball when someone can help him rack the balls.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s slow, and I need help,\u201d Hatch said. \u201cBut I train when I can.\u201d<\/p>\n Through training and fellowship, Hatch found something familiar: the discipline of showing up, the strength of teamwork and the bond between Veterans who have faced their own limits and persevered.<\/p>\n Adaptive sports provided structure and purpose, and with the Outlaws by his side, he rediscovered the Esprit de Corps, a deep sense of pride, loyalty and belonging that he cherished in the Marines.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to be told, \u2018I have your back,\u2019 here,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a given.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a Veteran who wants to learn more about \u00a0Recreation Therapy at VA Salt Lake City<\/a>, call Shannon O\u2019Rawe at\u00a0801-635-5047<\/a>. Recreation therapy helps Veterans rebuild strength, independence and confidence through physical activity and peer connection.<\/p>\nA relatable bond<\/h2>\n
Learn more<\/h2>\n
![<\/a>Marine Veteran Douglas B. Hatch <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nHe was diagnosed with Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome (GBS), a rare condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves by mistake. The damage interrupts signals from the brain to the muscles, causing rapid and sometimes severe paralysis.<\/p>\n\u201cI was just a blob of unresponsive protoplasm,\u201d Hatch said. \u201cI couldn\u2019t do anything on my own.\u201d<\/p>\nA year later, after continued symptoms, he was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)\u2014a long-term form of GBS. He was readmitted to VA and underwent plasma exchange therapy, which removes harmful antibodies from the blood.<\/p>\n\u201cI adapt\u201d<\/h2>\nDuring his recovery, Hatch spent nearly seven months at inpatient rehabilitation at VA Salt Lake City.<\/p>\nSpeech therapy helped him speak again. Physical therapy rebuilt his core strength so he could sit upright. Occupational therapy restored enough coordination so he could drive his power chair, first with his chin and then with his left hand.<\/p>\n\u201cI\u2019d always been right-handed,\u201d he said. \u201cBut you work with what you\u2019ve got. I adapt.\u201d<\/p>\nTo manage the long-term effects of CIDP, Hatch receives regular intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions, a treatment that helps prevent his immune system from attacking his nerves again.<\/p>\n\u201cI\u2019ve got about 40% to 50% movement in my arms, maybe 25% to 30% in my legs,\u201d he said. \u201cI still don\u2019t have much use of my hands and none in my feet. But I get around with my power chair and some help when needed.\u201d<\/p>\nSupported by his home team<\/h2>\nTo continue outpatient therapy after inpatient rehab, Hatch moved in with one of his daughters in Salt Lake City. His home in Vernal was nearly 200 miles away, and local services weren\u2019t enough to sustain his recovery.<\/p>\nLiving with her made it possible to attend therapy almost every day, something that would\u2019ve been impossible without her support.<\/p>\nToday, he\u2019s back home in Vernal. His wife, now 85, is his full-time caretaker.<\/p>\nTheir daughters remain instrumental. One remodeled their home to allow for his safe mobility, and the other, a retired Army nurse, still supports his travel for competition and care when needed.<\/p>\n\u201cThey\u2019ve been part of the mission the whole way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\nPurpose through sport<\/h2>\nDuring one of his outpatient sessions, Hatch met Shannon O\u2019Rawe, a VA Salt Lake City recreation therapist. She invited him to a group of Veterans involved in adaptive sports.<\/p>\nSome were in wheelchairs; others were able to walk or stand. It was Hatch\u2019s first time seeing others recovering and competing after life-altering injuries and diagnoses.<\/p>\n\u201cI didn\u2019t know support like this even existed,\u201d Hatch said. \u201cEven with my limited mobility, I decided to try.\u201d<\/p>\nHe joined the Mountain States Outlaws, VA Salt Lake City\u2019s wheelchair team.<\/p>\n\u201cLike other first-timers, he was skeptical,\u201d O\u2019Rawe said. \u201cBut he kept showing up. He put in the work. I\u2019m incredibly proud of him and how far he\u2019s come.\u201d<\/p>\nSeven medals and counting<\/h2>\nIn 2024, he earned gold in adaptive bowling and silver in the power chair rally at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in New Orleans, Louisiana.<\/p>\nHe followed up with gold in 9-ball, a pool game where you have to sink the 9-ball to win, but each shot must start by hitting the lowest-numbered ball on the table first; and air pistol; silver in air rifle and bronze in bowling at the National Veterans Golden Age Games in Salt Lake City.<\/p>\nNow 83, he\u2019s preparing for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which will be held July 17\u201322, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.<\/p>\nThe National Veterans Wheelchair Games, organized by VA\u00a0and\u00a0Paralyzed Veterans of America, help Veterans with disabilities improve their independence, health and quality of life through wheelchair sports and recreation. Learn more about the National Veterans Wheelchair Games<\/a>.<\/p>\nHatch trains when he can. His setup includes a 10-meter outdoor range for air pistols and rifles. He practices when weather and support allow. He also practices 9-ball when someone can help him rack the balls.<\/p>\n\u201cIt\u2019s slow, and I need help,\u201d Hatch said. \u201cBut I train when I can.\u201d<\/p>\nA relatable bond<\/h2>\nThrough training and fellowship, Hatch found something familiar: the discipline of showing up, the strength of teamwork and the bond between Veterans who have faced their own limits and persevered.<\/p>\nAdaptive sports provided structure and purpose, and with the Outlaws by his side, he rediscovered the Esprit de Corps, a deep sense of pride, loyalty and belonging that he cherished in the Marines.<\/p>\n\u201cYou don\u2019t have to be told, \u2018I have your back,\u2019 here,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a given.\u201d<\/p>\nLearn more<\/h2>\nIf you\u2019re a Veteran who wants to learn more about \u00a0Recreation Therapy at VA Salt Lake City<\/a>, call Shannon O\u2019Rawe at\u00a0801-635-5047<\/a>. Recreation therapy helps Veterans rebuild strength, independence and confidence through physical activity and peer connection.<\/p>\nLearn more about VA\u2019s nation-wide Adaptive Sports program<\/a>.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"At 79, Marine Corps Veteran Douglas B. Hatch was paralyzed by Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome, a condition in which the body attacks its nerves. Now 83, he\u2019s training to compete again in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. The few, the proud Hatch served in the Marine Corps from 1960 to 1965 with Marine Air Control Squadron 9. 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