Recent VA News Releases


        To view and download VA news releases, please visit the following
Internet address:
                        http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel>


        VA Teaches Disabled Veterans to Ski

        WASHINGTON (Jan. 9, 2003) - More than 350 disabled veterans will ski
the Rocky Mountains at the 17th annual Disabled Veterans Winter Sports
Clinic in Snowmass Village at Aspen, Colo., March 31 to April 5.

        This rehabilitation program is open to all U.S. military veterans
with spinal cord injury or disease, certain neurological conditions,
orthopedic amputations, visual impairments or other disabilities, who
receive care at any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility.

        Sponsored by VA and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the clinic
is hosted by the Grand Junction (Colo.) VA Medical Center and VA's Rocky
Mountain Network.
        At the clinic, disabled veterans will learn adaptive Alpine and
Nordic skiing, and will be introduced to a variety of other adaptive
activities and sports, such as rock climbing, scuba diving, snowmobiling and
sled hockey.  The U.S. Secret Service will also teach self-defense.

        "VA is committed to providing disabled veterans the rehabilitation
opportunities they need to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "Their courage to
overcome life's obstacles and soar above their physical limitations is an
inspiration to all of us."

        Known as "Miracles on a Mountainside," the National Disabled
Veterans Winter Sports Clinic shows that the lives of disabled veterans can
be changed forever when they discover the extraordinary challenges they can
overcome.

        "The Winter Sports Clinic conveys our compassionate commitment to
never forget the battles that our military men and women have fought and
continue fight as they overcome their disabilities," said DAV National
Commander Edward R. Heath, Sr.  Since 1991, DAV has co-sponsored the event
with VA.

        As National Honorary Chairperson for VA's National Rehabilitation
Special Events, actress Bo Derek shares this commitment, helping to spread
the good news about VA's rehabilitation programs and bringing visibility to
the courageous veterans who participate in the clinic.

        VA is a recognized leader in rehabilitation, with recreational
therapy programs at each of its 162 hospitals.  DAV is a nonprofit,
congressionally chartered veterans service organization, with a membership
of more than one million wartime disabled veterans.

        For further information, contact Annie Tuttle, VA Public Affairs
Coordinator, Winter Sports Clinic, at (909) 422-3193; or Rob Lewis, DAV
Communications, at (859) 442-2049.


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