Paralympic Sports Camp For US Vets
Weekend Event in NH Enables Wounded Soldiers to Try Winter Sports
Feb 24, 2009
From March 6-9, 2009, the U.S. Paralympics, New England Disabled Sports, and Northeast Passage are cosponsoring a weekend camp whose goal is to create sport and recreation opportunities for injured US Veterans.
The camp will provide a weekend of physical activity and opportunities to learn about Paralympic events and competition, including Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and sled hockey.
New England Disabled Sports, Northeast Passage, U.S. Paralympics to Co-host First Winter Sports Camp
New England Disabled Sports will provide Alpine skiing and snowboarding instruction at their new facility at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, NH. Northeast Passage will provide Nordic skiing instruction at the Jackson Touring Center in Jackson and sled hockey instruction at the Ham Arena in Conway. Both organizations have been recognized for their expertise in adaptive sporting instruction. All 30 participants will try each sport, rotating throughout the weekend.
“Empowering these service men and women to realize their full athletic potential is the main focus of this camp,” said Rob Mueller, managing director of New England Disabled Sports. “Providing sporting instruction and networking opportunities to those who have sustained a disabling injury will aid them in creating a new focus.”
Paralympic Sports Camp Addresses Growing Need for Adaptive Sports Programming
Over 21 million Americans are physically disabled, a number that includes thousands of military personnel who have been severely wounded while on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Paralympic sports camps address a growing community need, according to Mueller.
“It is critical for our injured service members to have the opportunity to be physically active in their communities as part of the rehabilitation process,” said Charlie Huebner, Chief of Paralympics for the United States Olympic Committee. “There is an incredible healing power that comes from once again being active with your friends or family following a disabling injury. The USOC is pleased to partner with New England Disabled Sports and Northeast Passage to help our nation’s heroes return to living healthy, active lifestyles.”
About U.S. Paralympics
U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is dedicated to becoming the world leader in the Paralympic sports movement and to promoting excellence in the lives of persons with physical disabilities.
About New England Disabled Sports
New England Disabled Sports at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, NH is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities through year round outdoor recreation programs. For over 20 years, New England Disabled Sports has been committed to working with people of all abilities to encourage confidence, independence, and peer-to-peer interaction.
About Northeast Passage
Northeast Passage is a program of the University of New Hampshire’s School of Health and Human Services, and is an affiliate of Disabled Sports USA. Northeast Passage develops and delivers innovative, barrier-free recreation and health promotion programs.
Like the Wounder Warriors, the U.S. Paralympic Sports Camp is just the latest in a growing number of recreation initiatives developed specifically to help rehabilitate US veterans.
 |
