More than 70 blind and low vision veterans participated last week (April 1-7) in the annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic (WSC) at Snowmass Village in Aspen, Colorado. That number fortuitously included BVA National Membership Coordinator Teresa Galgano, who was there to sign up as a new member Jeffrey A. Hockett of Missouri City, Texas, the Association’s first ever Space Force veteran.

The new memberships became official following a special April 6 meeting organized by Boise, Idaho, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist Barbara Fultz, WSC Director Teresa Parks, and Anthony Woodson, president of the BVA Illinois Regional Group.

According to Teresa (Galgano), the newest BVA members are beneficiaries of the Association’s offer of free membership to the first 100 blind or low vision veterans who join BVA in connection with a generous recent gift by an anonymous donor.

A world leader in rehabilitation, the WSC provides nearly 400 profoundly disabled Veterans with training and rehabilitation every year.

Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries, spinal cord injuries, visual impairments, amputations, and other severe disabilities are challenged to overcome perceived limitations through an assortment of activities that include adaptive downhill and cross-country skiing, sled hockey, scuba diving, rock wall climbing, curling, snowshoeing, educational tours, and other activities. All sporting events are adapted for the visually impaired.

BVA members were out in full force at the WSC. In addition to Teresa and Anthony, attendees included Hardy Alexander, Michaun Harrison, Harvey Guary, and Marty Levin (Mid-Atlantic Regional Group); Curtis Maxwell (Ohio Regional Group); Douglas Ingram (Florida Regional Group); David King (Indiana Regional Group); and Robin Robinson (Georgia Regional Group).

“The trip this year was great as always,” said Michaun, a perennial participant at WSC going back several years. “Even with all the fun, we took time to remember those who could not be with us.”

Michaun’s reference was to a tribute offered by Robin Robinson and Harvey Guary to our lost, fallen, and hospitalized veterans. The tribute occurred on a mountaintop and included a message enclosed in a snowball that was prayed over before being thrown over the side of Mount Aspen.