Christina Rivera

Aviation Ordnance Airman Petty Officer 3rd Class Christina Rivera joined the U.S. Navy in 2019 to provide a better life for her and her son. Her career shifted when she began to face post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. She enrolled in Navy Wounded Warrior to support her non-medical care needs. Her team strongly encouraged her to try adaptive sports as a way to move out of her comfort zone and meet new people. Rivera found a new love for wheelchair rugby. Though it is a rough contact sport, the chairs take all the impact and damage. She was excited to play as part of a team because it created space for her to get close to her peers and build interpersonal connections she was missing. As she trains for Warrior Games, her son is still her main source of inspiration to push forward through any challenge.