Benefit for Vail Veterans Program in Memory of Ann Reilly Bishop
March 18, 2012 – 6:00 pm at the Vilar Center
Tickets can be purchased for $25 at www.vilarpac.org
Dec 132011
by Zachary Barr
(Photo credit CPR’s Zachary Barr)
Today former soldiers are taking over the bunny slope at Vail. They’ve had devastating war injuries. And as part of their rehabilitation, they’re learning to ski. “We’ve been doing this program since 2004, and this is the most double leg amputees that we’ve ever had,” says Cheryl Jenson. She founded the Vail Veterans Program. “Which just shows you the severity of their injuries, but also what’s happening on the ground in Afghanistan.” This week’s group of about 20 veterans has eight men who’ve lost both legs. Colorado Public Radio’s Zachary Barr has this story of one of the skiers.
Click here to view complete article in the Vail Daily.
Retired Marine Sgt. Chris Fesmire, left, demonstrates how to turn on his sit-ski to Lance Cpl. Ivan Sears, right, on Sears’ first day skiing during the Vail Veterans Program on Wednesday at Golden Peak. Fesmire, who was a participant in the program four times and is now a self-proclaimed ski bum, joined the program this time as a volunteer to help fellow veterans such as Sears, who lost both his legs above the knees while serving in Afganistan in October.
Dominique Taylor | dtaylor@vaildaily.com
