National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic 2009
Miracles on a Mountainside
“It was a blast!” That was what Robert Branford had to say about his first time as a participant in the 23rd National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic held from March 28-April 3 in Snowmass Village. “Miracles on a Mountainside!” proclaims the motto for the clinic. The schedule of adaptive sports events for this year included snowmobiling, scuba diving, fly fishing, rock climbing, and snowshoeing. Education workshops, such as “Strengthen Your Emotional Muscles” and “Self Defense for the Visually Impaired,” taught by an agent of the U.S. Secret Service, were offered as well. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) hosts the annual Sports Clinic with the Disabled American Veterans organization co-sponsoring the event.
This year, as they’ve done in previous years, the Central City Elks Lodge #557 had a crew of members and guests to work as volunteers in assisting the disabled Vets to and from their flights at Denver International Airport (DIA). This past Sunday one of the Elks’ volunteers assisted United Airlines flight personnel in escorting Branford and another Vet, who required wheelchair transportation, from their Aspen/Snowmass plane to their respective departure flights for home.
While waiting for his flight home, Branford fondly recalled the events of the past week. Branford is blind and had been serving as a medic in the U.S. Army when his blindness occurred. Despite his visual impairment, he was able to downhill ski, fly fish, and scuba dive during the clinic. Branford was proud of the fact that he ran a downhill race against his roommate and beat him by completing the race in 16 seconds. Branford had not skied in over thirty years. His favorite sport turned out to be fly fishing. The Vets were transported to the Crystal River and while on a float, Branford hooked plenty of whitefish and trout. His prize catch was a 33” trout that was returned to the river as for their purposes this was a catch-and-release sport.
The winter snowstorm that occurred during the clinic only minimally affected the outdoor sports events: one day of fly fishing was cancelled and tire chains were required on the vehicles transporting the Vets to their numerous activities. Being from Columbus, Ohio, Branford wasn’t bothered by the twenty-or-so inches of snow Snowmass received. He mentioned the moisture being good for the dryness of Colorado.
Scuba diving was Branford’s second favorite sport during the clinic. He enjoyed being in the warm indoor pool and was surprised to find that his usual “milky” vision seemed to be clearer underwater with a mask on. He and other Vets played Frisbee in the pool and they really had fun. They also learned to communicate with each other by squeezing hand-held small rubber balls to convey messages.
Branford frankly admitted to a “poor pity me party” when his blindness happened. He said he eventually “got over it” and has gone back to school to learn accounting at Columbus State College. He makes use of a digital tape recorder for recording class lectures and uses an audible software program for his computer. Branford’s received additional training in developing his manual dexterity. He’s had to stop thinking about relying on his eye-hand coordination and learn to rely instead solely upon his hands in dealing with physical tasks. Branford’s overall goal has been to become more independent in living.
Branford hopes to attend next year’s Winter Sports Clinic, along with several other VA sponsored events during the summer. All first year participants in the Winter Sports Clinic have their expenses paid for by the VA. After that the participant must pay for all his own expenses. More details about the event can be found at the website www.wintersportsclinic.va.gov.
When you next see a Central City Elks Lodge member, be sure to thank him or her for volunteering time and effort in supporting the Winter Sports Clinic. The disabled Vets who participate in the event are truly grateful for the support. You might also want to donate a little of your own time at DIA next April. Contact the Central City Elks Lodge or member Jimmy Stewart at his e-mail address of mclwayne@gmail.com for more information and to serve as a volunteer.