Sit ski and cross country ski camp for Veterans
More doctors may be prescribing outdoor recreational therapy instead of Xanax if the proposed Federal legislation entitled the Outdoor Recreation Therapy for Veterans Act (HR 2435) passes. Studies are showing evidence that outdoor recreational activities can be therapeutic. I met Veterans Ray Gilmore and David Binford recently at a ski industry meeting and they were engaging anyone who would talk with them about the Azimuth Check Foundation, which provides injured veterans and first responders challenging year-round athletic activities to create wellness in an atmosphere of camaraderie.
“Whether these Vets have seen or unseen injuries, they can find peace in the outdoors.” They feel that participation in activities such as alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, hiking, fishing, cycling, saltwater and freshwater fishing, indoor rock climbing, wood carving and art, aquatics, golf, water skiing, stand up paddleboarding, archery, and even bowling will build self-esteem and accomplishment.
Azimuth Check Foundation recreational climbing outing
There are some Veterans and first responders who have experienced visual impairments, amputations and other physical and mental challenges who have discovered organizations that orchestrate recreational activities, which can positively impact their independence, well-being, and whole health through adaptive recreation therapeutic programs. Azimuth partners with other organizations such as the Veterans Adaptive Sports and Training, Adaptive Sports of the North Country, Ability Plus Adaptive Sports, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, and Northeast Passage.
Health is more than the absence of physical disease or disability, but rather includes important aspects of physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. These Vets and first responders talk about their experience with disability and recognize that changes in health status and mobility can pose significant challenges and adjustments for individuals, as well as within families and friendships.
Misha Pemble-Belkin of Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports’ Veterans Ventures program commented, “I’ve taken anti-depressants and done talk therapy but nothing I tried has worked - it was like my brain was still at war.” Different than working with healthcare providers in an office setting, this real world/real time approach to creating solutions for active and engaged living takes the guess work out of what happens when you go home or are discharged from care. The program employs certified and licensed recreation therapist practitioners with a strong history of working with individuals across the disability spectrum including individuals with physical disabilities, cognitive disabilities, and behavioral health needs.
Recreational archery program
While the work they will do together is built around having fun, it is also a therapeutic modality grounded in World Health Organization’s international classification of functioning (ICF) and is at the forefront of healthcare trends that emphasize prevention strategies and support a person to develop functional skills for active living and community access as part of personal health management.
Gilmore talked about difficulty “shutting the motor off whereby the adrenaline remains and has become toxic.” The recreational activities help to create new memories and meaningful relationships. Beside physical challenges many Vets are faced with what has been referred to during past wars as PTSD (post traumatic stress), combat fatigue, and/or shell shocked. While a stigma may remain about this condition, more Veterans are now acknowledging it and seeking help.
Some of these program participants express that they’ve have had enough of meds and therapy (for example cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, acceptance commitment therapy, etc.). Recreational programs can provide problem solving, a collaborative strengths-based approach, camaraderie supported transition, relevant and meaningful goals, and develop sustainable healthy behavior.
Trauma-focused psychotherapies are the most recommended treatment for PTSD. This treatment focuses on the memory of the traumatic event and its meaning. It is intended to help people process the traumatic experience by visualizing and talking or thinking about the memory to change toward helpful beliefs about the trauma. Eight to sixteen sessions are often recommended. One Vet referred to taking “meds” for his troubles which made him feel like a “zombie” and took away the passion and joy of life. That is not saying that suffering with PTSD issues will allow much passion and joy. But that Vet commented that participating in recreational programs and outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, rock climbing has helped to instill periods of passion and joy in his life.
How does it work?
At Northeast Passage, a recreation therapist (RT) will meet with an individual to complete an initial assessment. During this assessment, the RT talks about health conditions, interests, personal strengths, and local resources. They will also use standardized assessment tools as part of a collaborative process to identify goals, and a plan for achieving them, while working together.
Follow up appointments are used to work on achieving these goals and during these appointments the Vet and RT will be in the community actively engaged in recreation. At the same time, they’ll likely be creating community connections, learning about equipment, developing skills and aspects of themselves that support continued active participation and a healthier experience.
VAST Biathlon Camp at Pineland Farms
Kristina Sabasteanski is an Army Veteran who runs programs at Pineland Farms’ Veterans Adaptive Sports & Training in southern Maine, which offers year-round programming each year for Veterans with disabilities. She stated “Last year we took 17 Veterans and volunteers to Maine Huts and Trails in Kingsfield, ME. We had a variety of Veterans with physical disabilities, PTSD and other issues as well as Vets just there for the camaraderie. We stayed overnight and people commented that it was just what they needed to relax and get away from issues for a few days. It was -9 F the day we left to go home and there wasn't a single complaint among the group. Sometimes the Vets crave challenges similar to what they experienced in the military such as harsh winter conditions, strenuous activities, etc.”
Our yearly Biathlon Camp had 16 Veterans with disabilities - ranging from SCI, amputations, TBI, blindness, PTSD and TBI, and other orthopedic issues. “Many had never even seen snow before the camp and by the last day they cross country skied and competed in a biathlon race against each other. These trips and activities with fellow Vets allow them to share their experiences in the military and they realize they are not alone in their struggles.”
Retired SSG Misha Pemble-Belkin of Vermont Adaptive Veteran Ventures is proud to offer programs specifically designed for injured service members, Veterans with disabilities, and their families. The program has 170 Vet participants for more than a thousand activities including winter sports such as skiing, XC skiing, and snowboarding. It’s Vets helping Vets to learn these sports.
Vermont Adaptive was originally for groups of physically disabled Veterans from the Vietnam era. They then saw an increase in disabled Veterans participating during and after the Persian Gulf conflict. They’ve now entered a new era, where Veterans with disabilities include those with both physical and invisible disabilities like PTSD and brain injuries.
VAST recreational program for veterans at Pineland Farms. ME
According to Pemble-Belkin, “there was a study of 1,200 Vets who were split into a group taking three of the major meds and a group taking a placebos and it showed similar results. While the war experience was stored in your brain, outdoor recreation can provide some joy and passion that is a relief to the miserable times being home alone or unengaged.”
There are several ways you or your company can support these organizations: including spreading the message, direct donations, matching gifts and event sponsorship. Please direct all inquiries or donation-related questions to:
Azimuth Check Foundation: acfne@azimuthcheckfoundation.org.
Pineland Farms VAST Program in southern Maine with Kristina Sabasteanski Kristina@pinelandfarms.org
Northeast Passage in NH with David Lee david.lee@unh.edu
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports Veterans Ventures with Misha Pemble-Belkin veterans@vermontadaptive.org