Getting ready to shred in Snowmass!
No snow in Minnesota? No skiing? No way – we adapt!
The lack of snow this winter did not stop these Veterans from hitting the slops in preparation for the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass, Colo. in April.
Earlier this month at Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington, Minn., Veterans like U.S. Air Force Veteran Jose Garcia, who has multiple sclerosis, were shredding the slopes. “This event made me feel giddy like a child. It was the most fun I have had in years! It was the closest sensation to flying. I can’t wait to do it again. More Veterans need to know more about adaptive skiing!”
Nine Veterans, enrolled in the Minneapolis VA adaptive sports therapy program, tested out new equipment while participating in their first adaptive downhill ski clinic. Eight of the Veterans in this program are competing in the Snowmass winter clinic.
Minneapolis VA recreation therapist Joleen Peterson assisted with coordinating the adaptive ski clinic. “This is the first time we have done something like this here locally and it was so cool. It was so much fun," she said. “The Veterans had a wonderful time and there was nothing but smiles on faces. It was neat to see them gaining skills and confidence, so they are ready to conquer Snowmass and they know they can do it.”
In the adaptive sports therapy program Veterans with TBIs, spinal cord injuries, visual impairments, amputations, and other severe disabilities are challenged to overcome perceived limitations through adaptive skiing, sled hockey, scuba diving, rock wall climbing, education, and other activities.
An important component of recreational therapy is providing social opportunities and community reintegration to include adaptive sports. Adaptive sports are beneficial for everybody, but particularly people with disabilities who may think that they can't do things anymore because functionally things are changing, continue to change, or have changed.
“It's really great that we can offer these opportunities for Veterans to reengage or maybe try something new. I just think it's a wonderful thing that we get to witness on a weekly basis,” said Peterson.