{"id":7613,"date":"2026-05-15T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7613"},"modified":"2026-05-15T14:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T14:30:00","slug":"marine-corps-veteran-embraces-first-winter-sports-clinic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7613","title":{"rendered":"Marine Corps Veteran embraces first Winter Sports Clinic"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2026-05-15T14:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

Adaptive sports redefine what\u2019s possible<\/h2>\n

Joe Gibson arrived with a mix of curiosity and excitement to the 40th\u00a0anniversary of the Winter Sport Clinic<\/a> at Snowmass Village, Colo. The Marine Corps Veteran was ready to take on a new kind of challenge far different from what he\u2019s known back home in Salem, Ohio.<\/p>\n

Gibson, who became paraplegic following a car accident nearly 16 years ago, is attending the clinic for the first time. Often referred to as \u201cMiracles on a Mountainside,\u201d Veterans from across the country gather to participate in adaptive winter sports and outdoor activities. Gibson first learned about the Winter Sports Clinic through the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center where he receives his healthcare.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited to ski a real mountain,\u201d Gibson said, when asked about the experience. \u201cI\u2019ve done some skiing before, but always in Ohio.\u201d<\/p>\n

Veterans with severe disabilities can participate in alpine skiing\u00a0by using special equipment, like sit-skis, that are adapted to their individual needs. The equipment is specially tailored to improve comfort, provide postural support and maximize safety for the Veterans.<\/p>\n

Adjusting to new terrain and challenges<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/a>
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Joe Gibson gets fitted for his adaptive ski equipment at the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic during the seating, prosthetic limb and boot fitting session. Veterans with severe disabilities can participate in alpine skiing by using special equipment, like sit-skis, that are adapted to their individual needs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

While Gibson has some familiarity with winter conditions, he was quick to point out the difference. Back home, ski runs are modest in size, with vertical drops ranging roughly 200 to 300 feet. In Colorado, the terrain presents an entirely new level of scale and excitement.<\/p>\n

In addition to skiing, Gibson is also looking forward to trying fly fishing, another outdoor activity he regularly enjoys.<\/p>\n

Though the Colorado mountain may be unfamiliar, Gibson isn\u2019t going in alone. He\u2019s been paired with a coach, Nicole Fear, who he\u2019s worked with during previous ski events, and he expressed appreciation for her continued support.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for all the help, it means a lot,\u201d Gibson said.<\/p>\n

With a positive outlook and a willingness to try something new, Gibson is ready to make the most of his first Winter Sports Clinic, one mountain at a time.<\/p>\n

Learn more about participating in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic<\/a> and review the application criteria.<\/p>\n

\n

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sixteen years ago, a car accident left USMC Veteran Joe Gibson paralyzed. Through adaptive sports at the Winter Sports Clinic, he is pushing past barriers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7613","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-u-s-veterans-health-care"],"yoast_head":"\nMarine Corps Veteran embraces first Winter Sports Clinic - Its Veterans<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sixteen years ago, a car accident left USMC Veteran Joe Gibson paralyzed. 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