For the past week, 391 disabled veterans from across the USA have learned or enhanced their winter sports skills at the 22nd National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village, Colorado. The Clinic is sponsored by of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to "promote rehabilitation by instructing veterans with disabilities in adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing, and introducing them to a number of other adaptive recreational activities and sports."
"For many newly injured veterans, including increasing numbers injured in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Clinic offers their first experience in winter sports and gives them the inspiration to take their rehabilitation to a higher level," according to the VA.
The Clinic received some media coverage, especially in Colorado, where The Colorado Springs Gazette interviewed several of the participants.
"This has been one of the best weeks of my life," said Steve Conor, as he looked forward to a second game of sled hockey. "Here's my new outlook: Don't do it for me; let me figure out a way to do it myself."