Monday through Friday, Christopher Gray is usually at the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System, supporting the men and women who served in the recreation center as a full time VA employee.

But the first week in April, Gray will instead be in Snowmass, Colo., joining hundreds of his fellow veterans as a participant in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic.

This will be the Army veteran’s first appearance at the VA and DAV co-hosted event, which promotes sports therapy and rehabilitation through adaptive skiing, rock climbing, wheelchair self-defense, sled hockey, scuba diving and other activities.

Gray just recently became involved in adaptive sports, trying out wheelchair basketball. A friend on his team told him about the clinic, and he signed up right away. It is the sort of event that he encourages the veterans he sees each day at work to take part in.

“I try to let veterans know about the camaraderie, in addition to the competition,” explained Gray. “I stress being a part of something, and getting out of the house.”

He understands the importance of veterans staying active from his own experience and is taking his own advice to heart.

Gray served in the Army for four years and was a part of the invasion of Iraq. He left the military in 2006, but a few years later felt compelled to continue his service. He joined the Illinois National Guard and asked to deploy. Two weeks later, he was headed out to Afghanistan.

The cavalry scout was working with an infantry unit to assist the Afghan Border Police. In May 2009, six months into his tour, Gray sustained a traumatic brain injury, as well as injuries to his legs as the result of a roadside bomb.

His deployment was cut short, and after being medevacked out of theater, he spent the next half-year in recovery.

The Purple Heart recipient had to have both hips replaced.

“I didn’t think I’d be limited physically, though,” said Gray. “I was more worried about being limited financially.”

He was relieved to find meaningful employment serving fellow veterans at the VA. Now he can focus on himself.

Gray says he is grateful to the businesses, organizations and individuals—both locally and nationally—who made it possible for him to attend the Winter Sports Clinic through their sponsorship.

The Gulfport, Miss., resident is most looking forward to snowmobiling, but is ready to try anything that comes his way.

“I try to do my best and have fun,” said Gray.

 

About the event: Co-hosted by DAV and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic promotes sports therapy and rehabilitation through adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing, rock climbing, wheelchair self-defense, sled hockey, scuba diving and other adaptive sports and activities. The five day event in Snowmass, Colorado is a world leader in adaptive winter sports instruction for ill and injured Veterans and their families. Be inspired at wintersportsclinic.org.