National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic for Injured Veterans Coming to San Diego

September 3, 2010 - The 3rd National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic will be held in San Diego from September 19th - 25th. The clinic is sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The purpose of the clinic is uniquely designed to instruct a specific group of people. The clinic's purpose is to show veterans who have been recently injured how to, among other things:

• Surf;
• Kayak;
• Sail; and
• Cycle.

VA Secretary Eric Shinseki testified to the "life-changing effects" he has personally witnessed coming from the veterans' participation in the clinic. The purpose of the clinic was to show veterans who have been recently injured they still have many capabilities they may not be aware.

Veterans eligible for VA medical care and suffering from one of the following conditions can participate in the sports clinic:

• Orthopedic amputations;
• Traumatic brain injuries;
• Burn injuries;
• Psychological trauma;
• Certain neurological conditions;
• Visual impairment;
• Spinal cord injuries; or
• Other injuries incurred during the past 6 years.

The VA holds 6 national rehabilitation clinics every year, including this one. The events will be held in the greater San Diego area, including at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. The sports clinic will last for a week and if past events are at all indicative, participating veterans will leave with life long relationships with other veterans.