Governor Chris Sununu Skis at the New England Winter Sports Clinic for Disabled Veterans

Concord, NH - Today, Governor Chris Sununu joined the Department of Veterans Affairs and the New England Handicap Sportsman Organization for the New England Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic at Mount Sunapee.

"This is what New Hampshire is all about," said Governor Chris Sununu. "Recreational therapies such as these open doors and expand opportunities for our heroes. I was proud to do my part today by participating in this awe-inspiring clinic."

"Thousands of Veterans receive 'recreational therapy' from VA, when I arrived at Manchester VA we identified there was a gap in outpatient recreation therapy for Veterans; and we are addressing that," said Alfred Montoya, Acting Director, Manchester VA Medical Center. "At the medical center, we are excited to be expanding our Recreation Therapy Services to include our outpatient population. Manchester VA is piloting a Sled Hockey Clinic and proud to be at the 2018 VA New England Winter Sports Clinic here in Sunapee. The benefits of recreation therapy for Veterans include improving physical well-being such as weight management and controlling diabetes and hypertension. The therapy can also improve social functioning and help Veterans develop new leisure skills. It can enhance creative expression and break down barriers; and we are proud to be advancing these health benefits for Veterans here in New Hampshire."

"We don't know them all, but we surely owe them all," said Tom Kersey, Executive Director of New England Healing Sports Association. "It has been my pleasure to introduce so many Veteran and their families to the wonders of adaptive sport, no one should be left inside, nothing is impossible, and this is especially true for those who have served. What a great trade we get to make with our veterans, we teach them a little about adaptive sports and they teach us about the triumph of the human spirit."

"Mount Sunapee is pleased to continue our support for our military Veterans and adaptive sports therapy by hosting the VA's New England Winter Sports Clinic for the 21st winter. Our Veterans have given so much for our freedoms, and we are happy that we can give back to them."