Veterans from around the United States gather in San Diego for the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic. (Photo: Dale Frost, Port of San Diego)
The National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, or the NVSSC, is returning to San Diego from Aug. 7–12 after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the program to adopt a virtual format in 2020 and 2021.
The clinic engages disabled veterans in adaptive sports while fostering positive outlooks after severe injuries. Over 100 disabled veterans from across the United States are participating in this year’s clinic while VA recreation therapy programs will hold special events across the country.
NVSSC Director Maggie Kremer says, “the clinic is a training ground to instill the value of an active lifestyle, aid in community integration, develop determination, and build a strong foundation to explore what’s next.”
The NVSSC was founded in 2008 with the goal of improving disabled veterans’ mental health and physical fitness. Major sports include cycling, kayaking, surfing, sailing, and adaptive fitness.
Numerous organizations, both public and private, help fund and organize the clinic, including Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans Canteen Service, and the VA San Diego Healthcare System.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over five million disabled veterans living in the United States. While this figure represents all eras, Post-9/11 veterans are the fastest growing group and are almost 40 percent more likely than veterans from any other era to have a disability rating over 70 percent.
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.