All this week (Sept. 17 – 22) veterans from all over the United States are participating in the 10th National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic in San Diego, Calif. A collaboration between the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and sponsors such as Veterans Canteen Service, Fisher House Foundation, Cisco and Wyndham by the Bay Hotel, the week long event will teach disabled veterans to bike, swim, surf, sail, kayak and more.
“Adaptive sports have a long history at VA, and our objective is to challenge Veterans to redefine their capabilities, set strong goals and live active, healthy lives,” said VA secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin. “We want Veterans at this clinic to take what they have learned in San Diego and continue to move forward, not just for this one week, but the remaining 51 weeks of the year.”
The various clinics kicked off on Sunday (Sept. 17) at the Wyndham San Diego Bayside Hotel. Any disabled veteran currently receiving are from the VA is eligible to participate in the clinics.
VA San Diego Healthcare System hosts the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, and more than 300 volunteers are expected to donate their time and effort. For more information, visit www.summersportsclinic.va.gov and follow #NVSSC on Twitter at @VAAdaptiveSport or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vaadaptivesports.
Tampa VA asks for help from veteran community
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, a category 5 hurricane that wreaked havoc on Florida last week, the Tampa VA is asking for help to ensure the safe return of patients to Bay Pines after the storm.
In advance of Hurricane Irma, VA’s hospital in Bay Pines, Florida, transferred approximately 100 patients to VA facilities in Tampa, Orlando and Gainesville. Once the storm had cleared and patients were able to return, the facilities got them back to Bay Pines. In Tampa, after caring for Veterans for several days, the VA team ensured a safe ride back to Bay Pines for their temporary visitors.
For more information, visit https://www.tampa.va.gov/
Sources:
https://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/ssc/index.asp