National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Veteran William Ward, who served over 15 years in the Marine Corps and is now an avid adaptive athlete.

Today’s #VeteranOftheDay is Veteran Bob Mullins, who served for 23 years and stayed involved with his military community through adaptive sports programs.

Today's #VeteranOfTheDay is Dave Nichols, a resilient Army Vietnam War Veteran and avid adaptive sports participant.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army and Marine Veteran William “Bud” McLeroy, who served for 33 years and was the first amputee to deploy to Iraq.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Veteran Brittany Elliott, who was hurt in an auto accident and is competing in the 2023 National Winter Sports Clinic.

After a plane crash lead to his paralysis, VA introduced Chris to adaptive skiing. One run down the mountain gave him his life back.

Marine Corps Veteran, Jon, injured in Iraq and medically discharged. With VA’s help, Jon was able to carry the flag at the Paralympic Games.

It’s yet another example of ingenuity on the part of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL), a collaborative effort between the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and the University of Pittsburgh. HERL researches, develops, and tests a variety of technologies, including wheelchairs, and uses 3D printers with advanced manufacturing to design and create prostheses and other assistive devices.

Joyce Casey, a Spinal Cord Injury recreation therapist, has saved and changed the lives of thousands of paralyzed Veterans.

“The clinic was life changing. We call it magic on the mountain,” said Brown. “I don’t even remember all the sports I’ve tried—self-defense, rock climbing, hand cycling, kayaking, tennis—and of course downhill skiing.”

Deanna Callender says she hopes other Veterans will follow her lead and learn about the possibilities available to disabled athletes.

This Army Veteran joined the military at 19 because he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do.Now, he’s 22, recovering from a brain tumor and he just wants to walk.