SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo., March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Making triumph out of tragedy, more than 350 severely disabled veterans are regaining therapeutic confidence on a mountainside here at the 26th annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic (NDVWSC).

Co-sponsored by DAV and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) veterans are overcoming their disabilities as they participate in winter sports, including adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing, curling, rock climbing, scuba diving, sled hockey and snowmobiling under the guidance of athletic and rehabilitation experts.

“This is a heartwarming event,” said DAV National Commander Donald Samuels. “These heroic veterans are pushing the envelope, regaining their confidence in what they can do to overcome their disabilities and recognizing that they aren’t limited in the activities they can pursue.”

“There’s little wonder why this event is called ‘Miracles on a Mountainside,'” he said. “The quality rehabilitation they receive as a result of this partnership can improve their quality of life and help them achieve substantial life goals to increase their independence.”

Veterans attending the NDVWSC are overcoming traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments, certain neurological problems and other disabilities to enjoy the freedom of participating in winter sports and other athletic activities designed to challenge their athletic skills.

It is the largest adaptive event of its kind in the world. All of the veterans receive care at VA or military medical facilities for their wartime injuries.

Daily videos and information are posted at www.facebook.com/the.DAV or at www.wintersportsclinic.va.gov, and on the VA’s social media outlets found at www.va.gov.

The 1.2 million-member DAV ensures America fulfills its promise to those who’ve served. The non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932. For more information, visit the organization’s Web site www.dav.org.

The VA (www.va.gov) is a government agency that runs 1,300 health care facilities for veterans across the United States.

SOURCE Disabled American Veterans