Modified equipment aids wounded warriors
More than 60 wounded military veterans and their caregivers participated in a winter sports clinic Friday at Windham Mountain in Greene County.
The turnout was a record for the Adaptive Sports Foundation’s multiday clinic at Windham Mountain, according to organizers. More than half of the participants were seriously wounded veterans who were sponsored through the Wounded Warrior Project Adaptive Sports program.
The 15th annual event at Windham was offered by the Adaptive Sports Foundation’s Warriors in Motion program, which introduces veterans to modified equipment and rules of play for adaptive skiing and snowboarding. Adaptive sports serve as a gateway to each warrior’s new mission, organizers said.
“Veterans who engage in an active lifestyle increase their physical and mental wellness — two important elements to thrive in recovery,” a press release about the event stated. “More and more, warriors are using physical activity to improve their mental well-being.”
A Wounded Warrior Project survey found that 32.6 percent of respondents expressed physical activity as one of the things that helps them cope with stress and emotional concerns, the release said.
Wounded Warrior Project developed its Adaptive Sports program to connect severely injured veterans with adaptive equipment, sports and exercise routines that are specialized for each one’s unique injury and to promote an overall healthy and active lifestyle.
After each clinic, the warriors receive tools and assistance to continue improving their new skills at home.