Monday, July 19, 2010

Disabled vets in Massachusetts take to the surf

From The Patriot Ledger in Mass. In the picture, Greg Reynolds, foreground, takes on Rich Bonanno in a push-up contest.



HULL, Mass. — Disabled veterans hit the waves with local surfers at Nantasket Beach Sunday morning for physical and emotional post-war rehabilitation. Sunday’s surfers served in various wars including Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. Some of the veterans lost legs or arms while serving, or suffered brain damage.

Surf rehabilitation clinics for veterans are common on the west coast of the country but Sunday’s event was a fresh twist on therapy for area veterans. Ski and snowboard clinics are more common sports options for local disabled veterans.

The event included veterans who are amputees, blind and have post traumatic stress disorders. This was the first of this type of event on the East Coast.