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Washington, D.C. — More than 300 severely disabled veterans will take on the challenge of skiing the Rocky Mountains at the 13th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, to be held at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado, March 21-26, 1999.
Sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the clinic is hosted by the Grand Junction, Colo., VA Medical Center. It is open to all U.S. military veterans with spinal-cord injury or disease, certain neurological conditions, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments or other disabilities. Participants will learn adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing, and be introduced to a variety of adaptive activities and sports including rock climbing (taught by paraplegic climber Mark Wellman), scuba diving, and self-defense (taught by the U.S. Secret Service).
"One of my first trips as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs was to the 1998 Winter Sports Clinic," said VA Secretary Togo D. West, Jr. "It was an exhilarating experience, and I was inspired by the determination of our veterans, some of whom were learning to ski for the first time. Many left the slopes with renewed confidence and courage to conquer the obstacles in their lives."
"Rest assured, this is not easy," said DAV National Commander Andrew A. Kistler. "Most of these veterans have spent months in hospitals, convinced their days as active, vibrant individuals are over. A great many have been told they will never walk again. Yet there they are in the majestic high Alpine terrain of the Colorado Rockies learning how to ski. This event is proof that extraordinary things can be achieved when you’re prepared to scale mountains to achieve your goal."
Butch Cooke, a paraplegic and the winner of the 1998 DAV Freedom Award, describes it from the disabled veteran’s view: "The mountain is a great rehabilitation tool because it is so overwhelming," he said.
"It is such a great challenge — the adversity is huge," Cooke said. "You have to conquer it a little bit at a time. It’s like the best dessert you’ve ever had in your life. You have to force yourself to eat a little bit at a time and savor all of it. But, once you’ve conquered that mountain, it’s awesome. You feel like you can do anything."
VA is a recognized leader in rehabilitation, with recreation therapy programs at each of its 171 medical centers. DAV is a nonprofit, Congressionally chartered veterans service organization with a membership of more than one million wartime disabled veterans.
Roxanne Fischetti
VA Public Affairs
(202) 273-5736
Dave Autry
DAV Communications
(202) 554-3501
Gina Kroft
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
For further information, contact:
(970) 349-2201
