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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Hundreds of Colorado athletes are gearing up for the Rocky Mountain State Games this weekend. They'll compete in sports like wrestling, track and field, and archery.

For the third year in a row, the United States Association of Blind Athletes is pairing up with the Paralympics for Operation Mission Vision. Local wounded warriors will be throwing their names into the hat for the competition. Thursday, 15 veterans with partial or total vision loss practiced their archery skills.

"It's a tremendous opportunity because a lot of guys don't realize they can do something like this. They've lost their vision and think that that's the end," USABA's Military Sport Director Rich Cardillo said.  "This gives them the chance and once they realize, 'Hey, I can do this, or continue to do this,' it's like turning a light bulb on. They really take off. It's amazing."

The warriors will compete against other athletes who don't have any sort of impairment, but many said they don't see that as an issue.

"I have no vision, as far as the people here, there's all ranges, but I'm not too worried," Casimir Werda, a completely blind contender said. "Hopefully I do well, and if I don't, I still had a good time." 

Werda lost his eyesight from an IED that exploded, causing shrapnel to fly into his eyes four years ago. He said it takes some adjusting to get used to the lifestyle, but that 'it does get better.'

"As far as getting around, the more you work at it, the easier it gets to be," Werda said. "I just tell people just keep their heads up and keep on keepin' on. Don't let the blindness stop you from living your life."

Gilbert Magallanes Jr. is another athlete competing with Werda, and it's not his first time at the state games. He said he refuses to let his impairment stop him, and has taken up marathons, triathlons, and Iron Mans as hobbies.
 
"Last year, I got first in javelin. This year, I'm doing archery," Magallanes said. "Archery's been my lifelong passion, and I've always loved that."

Magallanes said without Operation Mission Vision and many other programs that help wounded soldiers, he wouldn't have gotten past his injury or depression as easily.

"I'm no longer depressed, I stayed off the couch. I used to weigh 287 pounds, and now I'm 213," Magallanes said. "And I'm not going back. I'm not quitting. Playing sports and staying active outside, it saved my life."