Winter sports clinic helps veterans

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo
  • Air Force News Agency
SNOWMASS, Colo. (AFPN) --  The 22nd National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, the largest disabled learn-to-ski clinic in the world, helped motivate and heal nearly 400 veterans this year at Snowmass Village, Colo.

The six-day winter sports clinic hosted 64 Airmen, 182 Soldiers, 66 Seamen, 60 Marines, and five Coast Guard veterans. The program instructs disabled veterans on adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing, rock climbing, scuba diving, snowmobiling, curling and sled hockey. The recreational activities and sports give them the inspiration to help them reach higher levels in their rehabilitation.

"This clinic provides healing through physical challenge," said National Commander Disabled American Veteran Robert Reynolds.

In fact, most veterans say skiing down a mountain is a life changing experience.

"Racing down the mountain in a mono-ski and being in control is amazingly therapeutic," said disabled veteran and first time participant to the clinic, Senior Airman Shawn O'Neil. 

Airman O'Neil, 26 years old, is a paraplegic injured in a dirt bike accident which severed his spinal cord and broke his jaw.

The true healing comes from disabled veterans meeting other veterans who have encountered the same challenges of reintegrating back into society. The clinic shows that the lives of disabled veterans can be changed forever when they discover the challenges they can overcome.

"Not only does the clinic's motivational activities help the veterans reach their full potential and enjoy a higher quality of life, but it also gives them a strong sense of purpose and camaraderie with their fellow veterans," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.

Airman O'Neil is from the small town of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He says everyday life isn't easy because there aren't very many disabled folks there. That means people don't know how to react and sometimes over-react to him. That coupled with the difficulty of doing routine events like showering and getting dressed can become frustrating. But at the clinic he found hope. "To be with a ton of people in the same situation that I am in is just so helpful," he said.

"I can totally see the difference in him here at this event," said Ashley, Airman O'Neil's good friend.

Young and old veterans alike share that same sentiment of camaraderie. Vietnam veteran Soldier, Chris Melin said, "We work in the unity of each other. And it is the little things like this event that truly helps us cope."

The winter sports clinic is open to all military veterans with disabilities ranging from spinal cord injuries, amputations, visual impairment and neurological conditions.

In addition to the recreational games, participants have the option to enjoy scheduled gondola rides, massage therapy sessions, dances, concerts, and a trip to the local hot springs.

To further enhance a disabled veteran's life, the clinic offers educational workshops such as; the Secret Life of Horticulture Therapy, How Arts Training can Benefit Persons with Disabilities, and photography. This year, U.S. Secret Service instructors taught self-defense to participants who are in wheel chairs or visually impaired.

The clinic also provides opportunities for disabled star athletes to shine. It is offering innovative race training and a developmental program for top-notch skiers. Potential athletes could be selected to train and compete in the paralympic games. Several participants who learned how to ski at the clinic are now members of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team.

According to Sandy Trombetta, VA's national director for the clinic, interested disabled veterans need to send applications with medical approval from their initial physician. Scholarships are available for first time participants, but everyone else pays for airfare and their rooms. Everything else is taken care of, such as; equipment, meals, lift tickets and all other activities.

The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Disabled American Veterans co-sponsors this event to ensure veterans receive world-class health care at VA medical facilities.

The origins of the clinic date back to the early 1980s when Sandy Trombetta began bringing VA patients to a nearby mountain resort to participate in disabled ski programs.

After 22 years of coordinating this event, Sandy Trombetta says he still loves to watch veterans overcome the struggle and he likes to see the battle of the human spirit and to see that people can overcome any obstacle if they want it.

"I'll definitely do this again next year," said Airman O'Neil. "When I went down that mountain everything bad went out the window and it really made me realize that I could do anything I want." 

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