A veteran from Oak Lawn, Illinois, will take part in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic held in Snowmass, Colorado, from April 4 to 11. The event is organized by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Disabled American Veterans and brings together disabled veterans from across the country for adaptive sports therapy.
The clinic offers opportunities for participants to engage in activities such as downhill skiing and sled hockey. It aims to help veterans with physical disabilities or invisible wounds challenge their limitations through sports. About 400 disabled veterans are expected at this year’s event, supported by approximately 600 volunteers and 200 sponsors.
Susan Ainley, age 66 and an Army veteran receiving care at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Hines, Illinois, will represent her community at the clinic. Since its start in 1987 with just 90 participants, the winter sports clinic has grown into a national program that supports rehabilitation through recreation.
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital supports veterans through programs focused on education, research and comprehensive care that contribute to community health advancements, according to the official website. The hospital operates a main campus in Hines along with six outpatient clinics located throughout Illinois including Aurora and Hoffman Estates according to its official website.
Hines VA is part of Veterans Integrated Service Network 12 and maintains affiliations with Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine for training and research purposes according to its official website. It stands as Illinois’ largest VA health care facility; more than 250 investigators manage about 300 active research projects there according to its official website. The hospital also focuses on delivering high-quality health care while training future medical professionals according to its official website.
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital was established as the first U.S. veterans’ hospital named after an individual—a World War I casualty—according to its official website.
