VA’s Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events provides Veterans with opportunities for health and healing through adaptive sports and therapeutic art programs. These specialized rehabilitation events aim to optimize Veterans’ independence, community engagement, well-being and quality of life. They are built on clinical expertise within VA with essential support from Veteran Service Organizations, corporate sponsors, individual donors and community partners.
Each year, VA kicks off the adaptive sports season with the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. A world leader in rehabilitation, the event provides nearly 400 profoundly disabled Veterans with training and rehabilitation. 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.
In the latest episode of New Horizons in Health, Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal sits down with two Army Veterans to learn more about how participation in the games has impacted their recovery.
For Veteran Koren Woodworth, who suffered a mild TBI during her service, the camaraderie of the games has been critical to her readjustment to civilian life.
“You have a common ground. We understand each other.”
“It’s kind of unwritten, unspoken. When we come together in events like this, you could not know somebody and it’s like you guys were friends before. You have a common ground. We can understand each other without having to explain everything to each other,” Woodworth shared.
Veteran Robert Morris, a quadriplegic skier, also appreciates the sense of independence that comes with his participation. “You start competing and realizing that you may not be able to do things the way you used to but you can still feel the way you used to. It really makes a difference.”
To learn more about Woodworth’s and Morris’s experience and hear from their coach and Veteran Super Fan VA Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher, watch the latest episode of New Horizons in Health on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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I am a 100 percent disabled and want to learn the guitar, I do not have a guitar. Thanks, Ron
One thing that would be wonderful, is if more of these things were available to younger veterans who are still in the work force, but struggle with various issues. In particular the therapeutic arts programs seem to only be during regular working hours, so to seek therapy we have to take time off from work, for every time you’re there. I’d love to be in a therapeutic painting program on a weekend or after work during the work week. I’d even volunteer to help with my photography expertise considering that’s what my educational background is. Availability is the issue, not desire.
How can I help or get involved?
I would also like to know
I’d like how I can adaptive sports grants ?
Sergeant Richard Cooks U.S. Army retired
I see a lot of publicity which is great. However, there is limited guidance on how a veteran may become involved in these activities. Would this please be included in future articles. Thank you.
The subheading mentions art programs but I didn’t see any mention of those. My son is a disabled veteran and an artist. Are there any programs in the Spokane area?
Hello, how can I volunteer and be a part of the adaptive sports program and winter sports clinic? I live in Colorado Springs, I am a veteran and want to get involved helping other veterans!
I have created a veterans sportfishing program in the BayArea of California called War Machine Sportfishing LLC, with some adaptive capabilities for disabled veterans and their family members.
I am mentally, not physically impaired.
With PTSD, safe to me is staying home, not going out, and certainly not meeting anyone I might have to trust.
Counselors encourage me to socialize in an effort to reduce the depression. .
Is there a program for mentally handicapped for which I might be eligible ?