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VA New England Healthcare System

 

Winter Adaptive Sports: A Prosthetic for the Soul

VHL spring 2015 cover
Print | Web

Parts of New England saw harsh winter weather this year, but heavy snowfall allowed many area Veterans to hit the slopes.

The winter of 1998 was no picnic, either. That was when Veteran Tony Santilli, who suffered from PTSD and disability, teamed up with Boston VA’s Chief of Voluntary Service Ralph Marche to establish the first New England Winter Sports Clinic for Disabled Veterans. Despite an ice storm that year, 10 Veterans braved the elements to experience skiing.

SkierSince then, the clinic has grown to include over 40 Veterans annually from many states— amputees and those with spinal cord injuries, neurological afflictions, vision impairments, and other disabilities. Tony has changed, too. Now a certified instructor and an expert skier, he tells fellow Veterans “What you need is a willingness to learn and a sense of humor,” adding that if he can ski, anyone can. Cofounder Marche aptly considers the adaptive sports and activities a ‘prosthetic for the soul’ to help Veterans live life.

Adaptive sports have become quite popular, with numerous winter sports clinics allowing Veterans to discover a new sense of freedom, independence, and confidence on the slopes, as well as a feeling of camaraderie with fellow Veterans.

"This is a life-changing experience. An opportunity to realize you’re not done, you’re not over, and you’re not broken."  — Kristian Cedeno

If you’d like to join the fun, these resources can help get you started.


  • The U.S. Olympic Committee’s Paralympic Division has over 20 New England sports clubs that provide adaptive sport and recreation for those with physical or visual impairments. The program combines funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs support from the U.S. Olympic Committee and partner organizations to provide Veterans with Paralympic sports programs.
  • New England Paralyzed Veterans of America is interested in all issues affecting the lives of persons with disabilities. Each year, the VA New England Healthcare System invites Veterans with spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputation, visual impairments, certain neurological problems, and other disabilities to participate in the New England Winter Sports Clinic for Disabled Veterans. 
  • Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation is the State’s largest yearround adaptive recreation program. It provides opportunities to alpine and Nordic ski, snowboard, and snowshoe at multiple locations. Its Veterans No Boundaries program provides Veterans and active duty personnel with disabilities free activities, and the New England Blind & Visually Impaired Ski Festival provides lessons to visually impaired skiers.

 

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