WEST LEBANON — It was not difficult to sense the fun being had at the James W. Campion III Rink on Monday.
It was filled with sled hockey participants simply making their way around the ice, passing a puck or playing a makeshift game. One participant returned from the ice proclaiming how “awesome” the experience was.
As she geared up to take the ice at Campion, Littleton, N.H., resident Linda Roy, a Navy veteran in her 70s who has back problems and has participated in the clinic five times, said adaptive sports keep her “sane”.
“It actually gave me someplace to go, and the people adapt to the injuries I’ve had,” she said. “That got me out of my house; out of my head worrying about what I can’t do instead of what I can do.”
Sled hockey was the first event of the VA New England Adaptive Winter Sports Clinic, which took place in the Upper Valley from Monday through Thursday of this week.
Roy was one of almost 50 veterans with disabilities from New England and beyond to participate in this week’s clinic, the 28th such event. The clinic has had ties to the Upper Valley since the first rendition in 1998, when around 10 veterans traversed Mount Sunapee. This year, 16 of the participating veterans hailed from New Hampshire and Vermont.
In addition to sled hockey, this year’s clinic, hosted by the Boston and White River Junction VA health care systems, offered veterans the opportunity to try skiing and snowboarding on Mount Sunapee and indoor rock climbing in Lebanon. Beyond sports, participants also could try other activities, such as arts and crafts.
Adaptive sports “are those with rules and equipment modifications that allow anyone to participate, especially those with some type of disability,” according to the Massachusetts General Brigham Hospital’s website.
The activities at this week’s clinic were adjusted so that all the veterans had a chance to participate.
Sled hockey participants were equipped with helmets, neck guards, and more before they were loaded into sleds and brought onto the ice. The veterans were also given two miniature hockey sticks, which they used not only to propel themselves around the ice but also to pass or shoot the puck.
Later in the week, some veterans used ski bikes to traverse the slopes of Mount Sunapee.
The event relies on more than 120 volunteers to assist the veterans. During sled hockey, volunteers helped get veterans onto sleds, which were wheeled to the rink door and brought up a little ramp to get on the ice safely.
The adaptations have an equalizing effect, said Jennifer Stark, who works as a recreation therapist at the White River Junction VA healthcare system.
“When you look out there, every veteran looks exactly the same. You cannot tell what their disability is, you cannot tell their ability, you can’t tell if they use a wheelchair, a walker, or are missing a limb. Everyone is on a level playing field, which is an experience a lot of veterans don’t get to have,” she said.
Stark said the activities offer veterans who may otherwise be isolated a chance to connect.
“The goal is to get them back with the people that bring them joy,” she said.
‘They said I would never walk again’
Adaptive sports aim to give veterans a sense of autonomy they may have lost through their injuries.
“It gives them their life back,” said Matthew Edwards, chief of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement, and Recreation Therapy at VA Boston Healthcare System.
“On multiple occasions, we’ve had veterans come through the program that essentially have been dependent on long-term care in the VA, but through adaptive sports, they have actually learned ways to be more self-sufficient, and they’ve actually moved out of long-term care,” he added.
John Bacon, a 78-year-old Navy veteran living in West Lebanon, who has a spinal cord injury, described himself as living in a box as he isolated himself and battled depression. But eventually, about 10 years ago, he made a choice to break out of it and try adaptive sports.
“I was living in a little box, and the box was getting smaller and smaller, so finally, I said yes,” Bacon said.
Bacon’s decision has allowed him to participate in activities around the country, such as golf, skiing, and even hiking, to the point that he was able to get out of his chair and do so with crutches.
“Now, today, when I’m not traveling or anything like that, I use a walker, and they said I would never walk again,” Bacon said.
Participants with conditions such as amputations, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder were welcome to apply to participate in the clinic.
The criteria require that the veterans be medically cleared to participate and to travel to New Hampshire. This year, there were 69 applicants who applied through their local VA recreation therapist, and participants were selected by a committee.
The clinic, which costs under $85,000 to run, only has capacity for about 50 veterans and some caregivers. Preference is given to applicants receiving care within the Veterans Integrated Service Network 01, or VISN, since aspects of the clinic, such as lodging, meals, and equipment, are funded by VISN, while others, such as gear, are funded through donations.
VISN is a network of several “regional systems of care working together to better meet local health care needs and provides greater access to care,” per the VA’s website.
‘Everybody looks out for each other’
One thing that makes the clinic special is the camaraderie it fosters, Edwards said, noting that, unlike a day program, the clinic houses the participants together for the duration of the event. This week, the veterans stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Lebanon.
“Over the years, you see the people, become friends with them, and you really look forward to seeing them every year,” Bacon said.
Thomas Wiese, a 66-year-old Air Force Veteran, lives in Poultney, Vt., and attended the winter clinics for the first time this week after trying out summer clinics hosted by the Boston and Providence VAs and echoed that sentiment.
“A lot of the people that I met in the summer games are here too, and they were a lot of fun to be with,” Wiese said, who injured his knee and hip while serving. “The camaraderie — it’s like being in the service almost, everybody looks out for each other.”
Wiese’s wife, Tina Gibbs, noted the positive impact adaptive sports has had on her husband, who she described as “a big sports person” growing up.
“Having them (sports) available is really good. Good for his soul. Good for my soul. It’s a good program,” Gibbs said.
‘A very fulfilling and beneficial thing’
The clinic was as enriching for volunteers as it was for participants.
Anna Aaron, a 20-year-old who graduated from Hanover High School, emphasized that accessibility has always been important to her, and lauded the opportunity to help out at the clinic.
Aaron described the group at the clinic as a family, noting her own issues with injuries that kept her off the ice as a hockey player and figure skater.
“I think the best thing about this group is that you can learn from them while you’re helping out as well,” she said. “I’ve been through tough things with my health or other issues, and they’re always there, and I’m able to support them also.”
Jeremy Frost, of Tunbridge, who volunteered for years at the clinic before becoming a recreation therapy assistant at the White River Junction VA healthcare system, described being involved as the “high point” of his professional career.
“We’re able to serve the veterans’ physical, mental, and oftentimes social and emotional needs, and so that’s a very fulfilling and beneficial thing,” Frost said.
Those involved in this week’s clinic, whether volunteers or participants, encouraged other veterans to give adaptive sports and clinics such as this one a shot.
“I think every veteran in the area should try to connect with the VA and try to get involved,” said Coast Guard veteran Michael Cather, of Thetford, who works as a registered nurse at the White River Junction VA healthcare system.
“If you’re physically fit, you can be a volunteer and still be involved, and you still get so much out of it because you’re still out there with your brothers and sisters,” he added.