WASHINGTON – More than 350 disabled veterans will take on the challenge of skiing the great Rocky Mountains at the 16th annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village at Aspen, Colo., April 7-12.
Sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (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.
It is open to all U.S. military veterans with spinal-cord injury or disease, certain neurological conditions, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments or other disabilities.
At the event, participants will learn adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing, with the assistance of Challenge Aspen, an adaptive ski program. They will also be introduced to a variety of adaptive activities and sports, including rock climbing, scuba diving, snowshoeing and sled hockey, plus a self-defense class taught by the U.S. Secret Service.
"The American people appreciate our veterans and respect the sacrifices they made to protect our freedom," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "The veterans at this clinic demonstrate how indomitable the human spirit can be. VA is proud to be part of this event."
"Nothing compares with the Winter Sports Clinic for proving that disability doesn’t have to be a barrier to living a full, active life," said DAV National Commander George H. Steece, Jr. Since 1991, DAV has co-sponsored the event with VA.
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.
Actress Bo Derek, National Honorary Chairperson of VA’s National Rehabilitation Special Events, will attend the clinic to meet the veterans and bring attention to their courage and abilities. Running on the beach with her beaded corn-rows and bathing suit in 1979’s smash hit movie “10,” Bo Derek entered the annals of American pop culture. Today, her compassion has led to her involvement in a number of humanitarian causes. She was a special guest at the Winter Sports Clinic last year and at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in July 2001. Country music star Neal McCoy is scheduled to perform for participants and staff on April 10.
VA is a recognized leader in rehabilitation, with recreational therapy programs at each of its 163 hospitals. DAV is a nonprofit, congressionally chartered veterans service organization with a membership of more than one million wartime disabled veterans. Challenge Aspen, a non-profit Aspen based organization whose motto is "making possibilities for people with disabilities," will assist the clinic organizers in providing more than 1,000 lessons in downhill skiing for veterans with profound disabilities.
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For further information, contact Annie Tuttle, VA Public Affairs Coordinator, Winter Sports Clinic (909) 422-3193; or Dave Autry, DAV Communications, (202) 314-5219.
For more information about the Winter Sports Clinic, or to follow the activities as they happen, visit the event website at: www.va.gov/vetski
