Local Veterans Participate in VA New England Adaptive Winter Sports Clinic

Name, State, Service Branch
Brian Archer, Mass., Army
Everett Benton, Mass., Air Force
Ryan Flynn, Mass., Air Force
Michael Guilbault, Mass., Air Force
Josephine Laham, Mass., Navy
Jesse Lorenz, Mass., Army
Wayne Ross, Mass., Air Force
Gina Sapienza, Mass., Army
Nick Pelletier, Mass., Navy

“Each year the Veterans who participate exemplify courage, determination and fortitude as they push their limits,” said Leslie Pierson, executive director of VA Boston Healthcare System. “I’m always impressed with the milestones each Veteran achieves, and I am excited for them to experience this as part of their healthcare journey.” 

The Veterans will take part in various adaptive winter sporting activities, including sled hockey, downhill skiing, snowboarding, ski biking, rock climbing, and other adaptive sports modalities, alongside nearly 50 fellow disabled Veterans from New England, supported by more than 120 volunteers and numerous Veteran service organizations and sponsors. 

The first VA New England Winter Sports Clinic was held in 1998 and hosted 15 disabled Veterans. For nearly three decades, this critical event, the only regional-level adaptive clinic of its kind within VA, has helped hundreds of Veterans who live with physical disabilities and wounds unseen overcome obstacles and challenge their perceived limitations. World-class volunteer instructors from New England Healing Sports Association, known as NEHSA, and other community partners, as well as recreation therapists from throughout VA New England, help Veterans experience the full potential of adaptive sports as a tool for improved health and well-being.

For more information or to request an interview contact vhawrjpao@va.gov.

Katherine Tang, Public Affairs Officer