Beyond the Slopes
Adaptive Sports volunteer assists a Veteran skiing in Mount Sunapee
Fifty-seven Veterans arrived at the 15th annual New England Winter Sports Clinic for Disabled Veterans at Mount Sunapee last week with one definite thing in common, their love for winter sports. This clinic not only serves as physical rehabilitation for Veterans but as a mental relief from the day to day stress that may come with physical limitations.
“We issue many physical aids and artificial limbs to help our soldiers get through life, but it is through adaptive sports and activities we can offer a ‘prosthetic for the soul’ to help them live life,” Ralph Marche, chief of voluntary service at VA Boston, once said. This remains true today and will for lifetimes to come.
Twenty family members and more than 130 volunteers also attended in support of the Veterans, and to see that the week went along smoothly.
“There was a volunteer waiting to help me with everything from the time I got there until the time I left,” a Veteran said according to Marche.
Throughout the week, Veterans, families and volunteers enjoyed snow mobile rides, ski lessons, snowboarding, kayaking, ski races and air rifle shooting.
The group of volunteers included former winter sports clinic participants who wanted to pass down the joyful moment to other Veterans. Louis introduced snowboarding to a fellow New Hampshire Veteran. Pete, an instructor in three-track skiing, worked with a new amputee Veteran and was able to help him ski with one leg. And Dustin, a walking quadriplegic, received the Phoenix Award for his bravery in rising up and facing challenges.
“These are all Veterans who have been participants in the program, enjoyed the feeling they got on the mountain and now volunteer their time to give back the gift of freedom on the hill,” Marche said.
The first winter sports clinic was held in January 1998, and came as a result of Anthony Santilli, a war wounded Veteran who used skiing as a way to overcome PTSD and disability. Santilli wanted to make a difference in the lives of local Veterans. His single thought transformed into a big and impactful annual event.
The winter sports clinic allows Veterans to become part of an entire community of winter sports participators and to be seen beyond their limitations. Veterans are not only taking on ski slopes. They are overcoming a hurdle, and discovering a new sense of freedom.
This year, a wife and mother of two discovered that skiing was not out of her reach. After the family hit the slopes together, they received the “Give Me a Chance, I’ll Make Ya Proud” award. This achievement not only served as motivation to the Veteran, it spread inspiration to everyone in the clinic.
“My Grandfather, a WWII purple heart veteran, was my pillar of strength and courage. I lost him 6 months after my first daughter was born,” she said in an email. “I never thought there was anyone like him that enveloped his courage, heart, strength love and support until my family walked into this room of AMAZING people. My grandfather would have been proud of me this week, but he would have been more proud of all of you!”
If you would like to take on the slopes in next year’s New England Winter Sports Clinic for Disabled Veterans, look out for more information on our VA Boston Facebook page and Web page.
