VA Paralympic Program Office Launches Website for Disabled Veterans

Website Encourages Sports Participation by Disabled Veterans

WASHINGTON (August 18, 2011)- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
has launched its Paralympic Program website as part of VA's ongoing
commitment to support the rehabilitation and recovery of disabled
Veterans through participation in adaptive sports.

 "Adaptive sports participation among disabled Veterans has many proven
benefits such as increased independence, reduced dependency on pain and
depression medication and stress reduction," said Secretary of Veterans
Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "Providing resources for disabled Veterans to
participate or compete in adaptive sports supports the holistic wellness
of Veterans, which is a key component of VA's Veteran-centric care."

The website is located at www.va.gov/adaptivesports .

One of the highlights of the new website is the "Success Stories" page,
which features disabled Veterans and their stories of how participating
in adaptive sports has positively impacted their lives. Veterans who
participate in adaptive sports at any level, as well as Paralympic
competitors, are encouraged to submit their stories and share their
challenges and triumphs with the entire Veteran community.

The site also provides users with a comprehensive overview of the
benefits of disabled Veterans participating in adaptive sports, sports
by disability, training allowances, the VA Paralympic Grant Program, and
resources for caregivers and VA clinical personnel.  Another resource is
the "Sports Club Finder" feature, a searchable database developed by
U.S. Paralympics that connects disabled Veterans with local sports
programs throughout the country.

"We are excited about the launch of this new website and all that it
offers to the disabled Veteran community," said Christopher J. Nowak,
national director, VA Paralympic Program Office. "It is full of
information disabled Veterans, their caregivers, VA clinical personnel
and Veterans Service Organizations will find useful. It also highlights
our partnership with U.S. Paralympics and contains information on our
mission to sustain participation in adaptive sports among disabled
Veterans in local community-based sports programs."

For more information, visit the website www.va.gov/adaptivesports or
send an email to vacoadaptiveSP@va.gov.

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--
Sean P Eagan

Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans

Life Member Veterans of Foreign Wars
716 720-4000