A day without using one arm brings some unexpected frustrations: like opening a soda bottle. For some participants in North Stonington’s Wheeler High School fundraiser, which raised money for wounded veterans, the soda bottle posed a greater challenge to some participants than playing floor hockey, or participating in art class.

“You don’t realize how different it is being able to use one arm. I’ve had trouble throughout the day … you have to rely on other people for some stuff,” sophomore Kevin Velez said.

Velez, along with 25 other Wheeler students, spent March 10 immobilizing one arm to raise awareness about the struggles of wounded veterans.

Created by the school’s recently formed BRAVE club, of which Velez is a member, the fundraiser benefits the Fisher House Foundation, which helps transport and lodge the families taking care of wounded veterans. Students paid to participate in the exercise, collecting money from friends and family. They they raised $126.

Some participants, like social studies teacher Shannon Curioso, who serves as BRAVE’s advisor, planned for the obstacles they would face in advance, like texting or typing for any length of time, but still got tripped up by little things like filling a water bottle at the water fountain.

Others, like senior Aiden Wiggens, winged it. Wiggens switched arms after his government teacher challenged him to immobilize his dominant hand and said he encountered all sorts of problems. Three students had dropped out of the fundraiser by noon.

“Something I didn’t even think of was my backpack I usually carry it on one shoulder anyway but I carry it on my right shoulder (and) carrying a laptop when I have a backpack in the same side was not fun,” he said.

Curioso founded the club last year after having worked with the BRAVE club in her last school district, which she said she wanted to bring with her.

“We have kids in the school with family in the military or have been in the military, they actually bring a lot to the table not only understanding what’s going on but coming up with ideas and reaching out to families and veterans,” she said. “They want to do more.”

The idea came from English teacher Jessica Cawley, herself a veteran.

Cawley had taught a lesson on Henry David Thoreau’s Walden where students had to alter their routines, like getting up each morning and watching the sunrise, or giving up a modern luxury. For a new club like BRAVE, she thought the fundraiser would raise their profile.

“This would get them out there and show their cause … and (be) a little more confident,” she said.

For Velez, who is considering joining the Coast Guard, he said it was great to get support from his classmates: who both asked him about the fundraiser and helped him out throughout the day, while he admitted it was a challenge.

“I’m very glad I only had to do it today,” he said.

nlynch@theday.com