NEPVA has done everything it could to support this award winning program since its creation, and this year was no different with just a few additions. You should all know that Wayne Ross, from the Chapter Board of Directors, has not missed a year since the beginning and is one of the original veterans to attend the Clinic. When you see Wayne be sure to ask him about some of his experiences at the NEWSCDV; he is an inspiration as are many who attend. Since that humble beginning it has grown from just a hand full of veterans to what it has become today.  With the help and support of the New England Handicapped Sports Association (NEHSA), it has grown to a clinic that served 55 veterans this year.  To make this possible Ralph, Tony and NEHSA were able to assemble 105 registered volunteers from the VA and NEHSA, in addition to another 60 occasional volunteers from corporations like UPS and from Colby-Sawyer College. The veterans and volunteers were treated to good food, good music and good times. 

 Each veteran received a minimum of two ski lessons and was able to learn to kayak in the pool, shoot competitive air rifles, and enjoy many other activities which included the very popular sports massages, offered free of charge for those who signed up in time. There was a wonderful reception the first night with some teams meeting for the first time, and others renewing friendships.  Team spirit was high and it is reported that there was a 6 foot parrot seen on skies during the week.   Of note were two special volunteers this year, brought in by NEPVA. Lacey Heward, two time Paralympian and 2005 World Cup Champion, as well as overall women’s adaptive ski champion in 2005, worked with the skiers and served as a friend and mentor to all.  Her husband, Ben Thompson, an expert snowboarder, touched those he worked with just as Lacey did.  Special thanks to JP from Southwest Airlines who made sure all of their specialized adaptive ski equipment made the trip to NH and back to Idaho.  Southwest was very good to us! 

One story that speaks to the spirit of the clinic came from Wally C. who heads the adaptive snowboard program.  One young newly injured veteran, who was described to me as a very angry young man with readjustment issues, attended the clinic for the first time.  Here is what Wally shared with me when I asked.  “It was Greg Marche (Ralph’s son), Lee Morris and Ben Thompson during the week who worked with this newly injured veteran.  The veteran did at one point comment that he was going to sell one of his snowmobiles so he could do more snowboarding.” But later on, “On Thursday night at the after party is when he opened up to me about how he had been feeling since his return up until the clinic.  He stated that in everything he had done since his return, activities and organizations he had been directed to, he had not truly felt like he had been home yet or welcomed.  That was not until he came to our clinic and was accepted without judgment or limitations set upon him.”  Wally went on to say. “I then looked him in the eyes and said, ‘Lay down your rifle soldier and Welcome Home, Welcome Home solder. My family and I truly and honestly thank you for your service to protect our Country and freedoms, Welcome Home Soldier’.”  Not sure how you react to things like this but I will say that for many of us there was no shortage of salt water on the cheeks as we thought about the positive impact that this very special clinic has had on each of us. And that is just one of the profound stories that have come out of the Winter Sports Clinic.   

The NEWSCDV is known for taking veterans who no other clinic or ski program would touch and teaching them to ski and experience the feeling of freedom. I know this because I am one of those who found that no one else would let me ski with them. Now I ski pretty independently, though I confess it took me the first three years to be convinced that turning on the way down the mountain was a good thing.  Each and every participant was awarded a participants medal and was photographed with Ralph and Tony, but the best gift of all was the uplifting of the human spirit that takes place there on Sunapee Mountain and in the off mountain activities.  Money cannot buy what is given freely but we can quantify it somewhat by letting you know that there were over 3,400 volunteer hours put in, not counting the time volunteers spent getting to know each of the participants off the mountain, and being there whenever needed.  Of special mention is Doc Harris, of the VA in Boston, who has been there for the veterans from the first, and who continues to be there making sure everyone is okay.   

There were all kinds of awards given to those who sponsored the clinic including our own NEPVA, and then there were some special participant awards given too.  One of these was the Top Gun Award presented to our own Board member Dustin Soroka, who has pulled it all together this year. Not only was he shredding the mountain snow riding his board, but he was seen stopping to help others, giving friendly encouragement and sharing his positive attitude with all he came into contact with.   

Dan Swank got the Rookie of the Year Award and looked really good in a mono for the first time.  I had to tell him it took me four or five years to do what he was doing just a few months after injury and the first time on the sled.  Dan Cantilin, the last of the WWII veterans, got the Give Me a Chance and I’ll Make You Proud Award. Finally Andre Dion was the only one to leave blood on the hill after doing his Artie Johnson imitation, stopping and then falling on his side. He earned the Blood, Sweat and Tears Award.  For those of us in NEPVA the most significant award was presented posthumously.  All of the Board of Directors present were invited to receive the award on behalf of our immediate past president Ken Medeiros, who as you know passed recently.  Ralph Marche tried to present it but was so choked up he could not. Tony Santilli then tried and the same emotions took over as he remembered his good friend and supporter of disabled sports, Ken.  In the end Rick Leeman, who works closely with Ralph and Tony, was able to choke out the words written on the plaque of the first Ken Medeiros – Phoenix Award.    

Begin thinking about the Winter Sports Clinic now and make sure you register early to come and join us next year.  Ask Charlie Schena, who had not been there for a couple years due to injury, if he has stopped smiling yet.  I know you will see him and most of us there again next year!  We look forward to the clinic growing even bigger in the years to come.