ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 1, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eric Alva joined the Marines to serve his country, like his father and grandfather in the Vietnam War, Korean War and World War II. In the early hours of March 21, 2003, Staff Sergeant Eric Alva's life changed forever when he stepped on a landmine and lost his right leg above the knee, making him the first U.S. Marine seriously injured in the Iraq War.
An athlete prior to his injury, Alva was determined to stay active. In December 2003 he attended The Hartford Ski Spectacular for the first time – just eight months after losing his leg. The winter sporting event showed him that he could continue doing everything he loved, despite his new circumstances.
"Attending The Hartford Ski Spectacular helped me realize that with opportunities like this, there's nothing I shouldn't be able to do," said Alva. "I'm still the same person as always, riding high on life because I can still ski as I did before."
This December, Alva will mentor more than 100 newly severely wounded warriors and their families participating in the 27th Annual The Hartford Ski Spectacular Dec. 1-7 at Beaver Run Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort in Breckenridge, Colo. The seven-day event, sponsored by The Hartford, is one of the nation's largest winter sports festivals for individuals with physical disabilities.
"We have a long-held belief that sports are an important part of recovery and rehabilitation following a disabling illness or injury," said Mike Concannon, executive vice president of The Hartford's Group Benefits business. "That's why for two decades we have sponsored this program that epitomizes our Ability Philosophy. We celebrate the strength and resiliency of the wounded warriors, wish them continued healing, and hope they leave The Hartford Ski Spectacular empowered to achieve success."
Four years after Alva's injury, Colonel Greg Gadson's vehicle was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device while out on patrol. He lost both of his legs above the knee. Seven months later, Gadson was skiing down the slopes in Breckenridge at The Hartford Ski Spectacular. The event spurred him to continue his military career.
"I wanted to know that I could enjoy my life again. Why do you want to go back to work if you feel like you can't have fun in your life anymore? The Hartford Ski Spectacular helped bring that fun back," said Gadson.
Gadson continued to rise in the ranks and use his experience as a fellow wounded warrior to help him shape the Army Wounded Warrior program (AW2) program, making adaptive sports an essential component of recovery for soldiers severely wounded in war. Gadson has even used his experience to star in a major military Hollywood Motion picture, "Battleship."
Like Alva, Gadson will mentor wounded warriors at The Hartford Ski Spectacular. Wounded warriors are coming directly from Walter Reed National Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, Naval Medical Center San Diego, Tampa VA, Fort Carson and other locations across the country. All military participants and family members will participate in the week-long event free of cost through Disabled Sports USA's Warfighter Sports program. Since 2003, Warfighter Sports has provided free adaptive sports rehabilitation to more than 8,200 severely wounded warriors and family members in more than 30 different sports.
Beyond ski and snowboard instruction, the event will include training and educational events for Disabled Sports USA chapters in order to strengthen and expand adaptive snow sports programs in communities throughout the U.S. This helps local Disabled Sports USA chapters serve wounded warriors after they leave hospitals and return to their home communities, allowing them to continue their sports rehabilitation.
The Hartford Ski Spectacular's Presenting Sponsor is the Department of Veterans Affairs: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for disabled Veterans and disabled Members of the Armed Forces program provides grant funding to organizations to increase and expand enhance the quantity and quality of adaptive sport activities available for disabled Veterans and members of the Armed Forces have to participate in physical activity within their home communities, as well as more advanced Paralympic and adaptive sport programs at the regional and national levels.
The Department of Veterans Affairs, the Grand Junction VA Medical Center and the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic provide essential equipment and technical support to The Hartford Ski Spectacular. For more information on VA Adaptive Sports programs visit www.va.gov/adaptivesports.
The event is also sponsored by Wash Depot; Veritas; Bob Woodruff Foundation; Oshkosh Defense; Team Semper Fi; Tee it up for the Troops; DAV Charitable Service Trust; Fluor; Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center and Breckenridge Ski Resort.
Partnering organizations include: Disabled American Veterans, Maggie George Foundation, Professional Ski Instructors of America- American Association of Snowboard Instructors National Adaptive Academy (PSIAAASI), Vail Adaptive Sports, U.S. Paralympics, U.S. Paralympic Snowboarding, Bern Helmets, USA Curling, Colorado Adaptive Sports Foundation and Breck Sports. DSUSA chapters supporting the event include: Host chapter Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center and chapters Adaptive Adventures, Adaptive Sports Center, Maine Adaptive Sports, National Ability Center, New England Disabled Sports, National Sports Center for the Disabled and Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports.
Follow the action at The Hartford Ski Spectacular (#skispec) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Look for @DisabledSportUS on Twitter and Disabled Sports USA on Instagram and Facebook, as well as @TheHartford on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About Disabled Sports USA
Founded in 1967, Disabled Sports USA is a national charitable organization that provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in sports. What began as a program to serve Vietnam veterans has since grown into one of the nation's largest multi-sport, multi-disability organizations, annually serving more than 60,000 wounded warriors, youth, and adults with disabilities. A member of the U.S. Olympic Committee Multi-Sport Organization Council, Disabled Sports USA offers programs in more than 40 summer and winter sports through its nationwide network of more than 100 community-based chapters. For more information, visit http://www.disabledsportsusa.org.
About Warfighter Sports
Warfighter Sports, a program of Disabled Sports USA, offers sports rehabilitation for severely wounded warriors in military hospitals and communities across the U.S. through a nationwide network of over 100 community-based chapters. Since 1967, Disabled Sports USA has proudly served wounded warriors, including those injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, offering over 30 winter and summer sports at more than 100 events each year. Warfighter Sports rebuilds lives through sports by improving self-confidence, promoting independence and uniting families through shared healthy activities.
Contributions cover all expenses for participation of the warrior and a family member, including individualized adaptive instruction, adaptive sports equipment, transportation, lodging and meals. Since 2003, more than 7,900 of the most severely wounded and their families have been served, including those with amputations, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, visual impairments, and significant nerve and muscle damage. For more information, visit www.warfightersports.org.
About The Hartford
With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford (NYSE:HIG) is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. The company is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at www.thehartford.com. Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheHartford. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheHartford.
Media Contact:
Dave Simonson
301-217-9837
dsimonson@dsusa.org
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