Reimagining Rehabilitation: How Recreation Therapy is Transforming Veterans' Lives

His unique background and commitment to enhancing Veterans' quality of life through recreation therapy are making significant strides in their rehabilitation and overall well-being.

Vinny, originally from Wantagh, New York, brings over eight years of experience to his role, having worked with a diverse range of clients from preadolescents to geriatrics, primarily at South Oaks Hospital in Amityville, New York. 

His journey into recreation therapy was driven by a passion for helping people reintegrate into the community, enhancing their leisure education skills, and solving the unique challenges posed by their varying access to resources. 

"I enjoy finding ways to adapt certain activities to meet their needs," Vinny shares, highlighting the personalized care he brings to each Veteran.

His work at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System involves a meticulous process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation, known as APIE, to tailor recreational activities that foster physical health, recovery, and well-being. Vinny explains, "This helps the CTRS and Veteran to create realistic goals to ensure we set up the Veteran for the best chance of success."

A typical day for Vinny is anything but ordinary. From conducting initial assessments to planning individualized treatment sessions, he ensures that each Veteran's needs and goals are met with the utmost care and professionalism. 

"During the assessment, we talk about what they want to accomplish from treatment,” said Vinny. “After, we create a treatment plan for short and long-term goals to help them achieve their goals." 

The significance of recreation therapy in Veterans' rehabilitation cannot be overstated. It offers a path to restore, remediate, and rehabilitate their level of functioning, promoting health and wellness while reducing the activity limitations caused by illnesses or disabling conditions.

“Even on my worst pain days, Vinny somehow motivates me to keep moving,” said retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major Gareth Hilton. “His activities are tailored to what I can handle but still make me feel like I’m actively improving.”

Vinny's work, alongside his colleagues, spans various settings within the health care system, ensuring that even homebound Veterans or those with limited access to transportation can benefit from these services.

Veterans themselves have felt the impact of Vinny's work firsthand. 

"During the assessment, we talk about what they want to accomplish from treatment,” said Vinny. “After we create a treatment plan to create short and long-term goals to help them achieve their goals

Vinny's dedication extends beyond individual sessions. He also teaches a Whole Health intro class, emphasizing the importance of empowering Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being. "It will give the Veterans the proper knowledge and understanding for them to take the best course of action for their treatment," Vinny notes, highlighting the class's role in the broader spectrum of Veteran healthcare.

“Vinny has this incredible ability to link recreation back to whole health principles that stick with you,” said Hilton. “Small moments in our sessions end up serving as reminders for self-care, stress relief, connecting with others.”

In reflecting on the impact of his work, Vinny shares, "Although I have been here for ten months, I’ve already seen a difference in the Veterans that I am currently working with. Quality of life for Veterans has improved because they trust the process and have realized that adapting their leisure activities brings them more enjoyment to their lives."

Through Vinny Costagliola's and his colleague’s expertise and compassion, recreation therapy at The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System is not just an intervention, but a transformation, enabling Veterans to reclaim their independence, engage with their communities, and achieve a higher quality of life.