Nearly 450 vets are gathered in Snowmass Village, Colorado this week to participate in alpine and Nordic skiing and numerous other adaptive recreational activities and sports during the 23rd National Disabled Vets Winter Sports Clinic.
The clinic is open to U.S. military service veterans with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments, neurological problems and other disabilities. The clinic offers the inspiration to take their rehabilitation to a higher level through positive physical, mental, and social experiences and challenges in a beautiful mountain setting.
Events include adaptive alpine (downhill) and cross country skiing, scuba diving, sled hockey, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, rock climbing, trap shooting, archery, snowmobiling, gondola rides, trips to the hot springs, plus educational and instructional workshops.
The Roaring Fork Vally Sportsman's Association, www.rfvsa.org, hosts the vets for the annual shoot and barbecue at the public shooting range in Basalt this week.
Participants are instructed in trap shooting. Some sit, some stand, some are blind in one or both eyes. All have an opportunity to test their coordination and speed and have fun in an informal game of trap.
We had our usual mixed bag of Colorado spring weather. It got a little cold and nasty, but that didn't slow anyone down.
Demarlon Pollard tested out the recurve bow. He told me he's recently gotten in to shooting bows at a range back at home in San Diego.
Cindy Lyons was a Staff Sergeant in the Army Reserves. Last year she shot for the first time while she was in a wheelchair. Cindy discovered she could walk again at last year's Winter Sports Clinic after confined to a wheel chair for the prior eleven months. She is also a sharp shooter on the pistol range.
Portray Woods proves his accuracy on the rifle range.
A highlight of the DAV shoot is the famous wild game barbeque put on by the Rifle, CO Elks Club. Fare included elk tenderloin, venison meatballs, rabbit and rattlesnake sausage, wild boar brats, buffalo burgers, bbq chicken, jerky and summer sausages. Desert included pies, cakes, brownies, and strawberry layer cake.
It was incredibly humbling and uplifitng to spend the day with all the amazing people who shared with me their good conversation, stories, and challenges. The day was a great success. Everyone had fun, stayed safe, and looked forward to the next event on their list for the week.
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