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 Disabled
Veterans take to the slopes at Winter Sports Clinic
WASHINGTON –
More than 350 disabled veterans will ski the Rocky Mountains at the
19th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass
Village at Aspen,Colo., April 3-8, 2005.
The clinic is an
annual rehabilitation program open to all U.S. military veterans
with spinal cord injuries or disease, visual impairments, certain
neurological conditions, orthopedic amputations or other
disabilities, who receive care at any Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) health care facility.
A number of
newly injured veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation
Iraqi Freedom have signed up to join their fellow veterans at the
clinic this year to challenge themselves at this special event.
During the
six-day program, the veterans will learn adaptive Alpine and Nordic
skiing and 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 a course on
self-defense for people with disabilities.
Jointly
sponsored by VA and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the clinic
is hosted each year by the Grand Junction (Colo.) VA Medical Center
and VA’s Rocky Mountain Network.
"VA continues to
be a recognized leader in providing disabled veterans with
comprehensive rehabilitation programs, allowing them to challenge
themselves both physically and mentally,” said Secretary of Veterans
Affairs Anthony J. Principi.
"These veterans demonstrate to all of us that it is ability, not
disability, that counts. Their strength of spirit and determination
to overcome adversity encourage all Americans who face challenges in
their lives."
Known for
inspiring "Miracles on the Mountainside," the National Disabled
Veterans Winter Sports Clinic shows that the lives of disabled
veterans can be changed forever when they discover the challenges
they can overcome.
“The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic is a fantastic
example of partnership between DAV and VA, with both organizations
committed to serving the rehabilitative needs of our nation’s
disabled veterans,” said DAV National Commander James E. Sursely.
“I have been a participant in this event and eagerly anticipate
returning to Snowmass to represent DAV as its national commander. I
know this year’s Winter Sports Clinic will be a life-changing
experience for everyone involved.”
VA is a
recognized leader in rehabilitation, with recreational therapy
programs at each of its 158 hospitals. DAV, which has co-sponsored
the event since 1991, is a nonprofit,congressionally chartered
veterans service organization, with a membership of more than one
million wartime disabled veterans.
For further
information, contact Jenny Shafer Tankersley, VA public affairs
coordinator,
Winter Sports
Clinic, at (757) 728-3450; or Rob Lewis, DAV communications, at
(859) 442-2049. Or, log on
to the event’s web site at:
www.wintersportsclinic.org
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