| 21 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago Vets hit the slopes as Wounded Warriors
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(NECN: Lincoln, NH) – The servicemen and women injured in Iraq and Afghanistan often come home to long recoveries and uncertain futures. But there is a program that strives to get injured vets active again – more than a dozen are on the slopes of New Hampshire this week.
NECN’s Lauren Collins has the story.
Script:
This is not Chris Burrell’s first day on the slopes:
“I’ve crashed and burned a few times, but it's not fun unless you come in a little soaked and with a little snow on you.”
But it is his first ski trip since he got a new leg just about a month ago.
“My left leg above the knee amputation....I was, uh, hit by a triple charge efp in, uh, downtown Baghdad the day after Christmas.”
Army Sgt. Christopher Burrell -- on a pass from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center -- is one of 15 Wounded Warriors in New Hampshire this week.
They arrived to a reception and welcome dinner Wednesday afternoon, hit Breton Woods on Thursday, tackled Loon Friday, and wrap up at Waterville Valley Saturday.
“Everything is provided for them - flight, transportation, accommodations, meals, lessons equipment, you name it, they get it.”
Their disabilities range from amputations to spinal cord damage. From traumatic brain injuries to severe burns, but every vet comes north with a tremendous amount of determination.
“These guys will go above and beyond...it's a pretty scary thing to think that,
you know, you're missing a leg or an arm and you're out here trying to ski.”
The Wounded Warriors program is all about recovery -- both physical and mental.
Sgt. James Vandenheuvel was nearly killed in an explosion in Iraq three years ago, but won't let his traumatic brain injury keep him from the slopes.
Vandenheuvel: “I know a lot of people out there, a lot of vets, that are depressed ...really mad at the way they're being treated and they feel like they can't do a darn thing. And I tell them about this kind of stuff. They're like, really?”
He says all wounded vets need to have a full and happy life. . . It's an attitude that earns a tremendous amount of respect, from the dozens of volunteer instructors at the mountain, to the friends and family that come as guests:
“Such a great sacrifice for his country...I just can't say enough...he's done things that I don't know I could do. And I have nothing but admiration for him.”
“Some of these guys, have never even seen snow before much less been on a pair of skis. And most of them, by the time they're through with this experience, are hooked.”
“I came here last year, and I wanted to come back again this year...I did and I love it. I love the people putting this on.”
“Now that I’m getting comfortable with it, just continue on. You know, I know it's the end of the season coming up now, but definitely, uh, as soon as it starts getting cold ...end of this year, I’m going to be right back here.”
And that's the point -- to give a new joy to the vets who've lost ability in service to country.
“Not only are they learning how to do something to resume their normal lives and use this as a form of rehab, but they get to share this with their wives, their friends, their children even...so they have a shared event for always.
And if they can conquer these slopes, almost anything seems possible.
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