Vet News: VA Teaches Disabled Veterans to Ski

WASHINGTON (Jan. 9, 2003) - More than 350 disabled Veterans will ski the Rocky Mountains at the 17th annual Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village at Aspen, Colo., March 31 to April 5.

This rehabilitation program is open to all U.S. military Veterans with spinal cord injury or disease, certain neurological conditions, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments or other disabilities, who receive care at any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility.

Sponsored by VA and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the clinic is hosted by the Grand Junction (Colo.) VA Medical Center and VA’s Rocky Mountain Network. At the clinic, disabled Veterans will learn adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing, and will be introduced to a variety of other adaptive activities and sports, such as rock climbing, scuba diving, snowmobiling and sled hockey. The U.S. Secret Service will also teach self-defense.

"VA is committed to providing disabled Veterans the rehabilitation opportunities they need to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "Their courage to overcome life’s obstacles and soar above their physical limitations is an inspiration to all of us."

Known as "Miracles on a Mountainside," the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic shows that the lives of disabled Veterans can be changed forever when they discover the extraordinary challenges they can overcome.

"The Winter Sports Clinic conveys our compassionate commitment to never forget the battles that our military men and women have fought and continue fight as they overcome their disabilities," said DAV National Commander Edward R. Heath, Sr. Since 1991, DAV has co-sponsored the event with VA.

As National Honorary Chairperson for VA’s National Rehabilitation Special Events, actress Bo Derek shares this commitment, helping to spread the good news about VA’s rehabilitation programs and bringing visibility to the courageous Veterans who participate in the clinic.

VA is a recognized leader in rehabilitation, with recreational therapy programs at each of its 162 hospitals. DAV is a nonprofit, congressionally chartered Veterans service organization, with a membership of more than one million wartime disabled Veterans.

For further information, contact Annie Tuttle, VA Public Affairs Coordinator, Winter Sports Clinic, at (909) 422-3193; or Rob Lewis, DAV Communications, at (859) 442-2049.

SOURCE: Veterans News and Information Service