Spaulding Rehabilitation Receives Grant from Disabled Veterans National Foundation
Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers to use funds to create veteran focused programs
(Boston, MA) – The comradery felt by those who serve in the military creates bonds and a sense of community that can last a life time. However, for veterans with a disability, they often experience the isolation and withdrawing from previous activities that the general population with disabilities feels only more acutely. For the veteran community, being around other veterans in activities and social circles is a vital link to overall wellness. For Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers (SASC), the key focus of their programs has been creating opportunities for recreation and socialization with the community with disabilities. While veterans with disabilities have been participants in SASC programs, a new donation of almost $17,000 from the Disabled Veterans National Foundation will allow SASC to create veteran specific programs.
“The veteran community has always been a core part of our outreach to encourage education and participation in adaptive sports. To be able to use this generous grant from the Disabled Veterans National Foundation will allow us to offer opportunities for veterans with disabilities in our area to the opportunities that really can only come from being around those who have served and understand all that means. For all of us at SASC it truly is an honor to work with this population and we are so thankful for this grant to make it all possible,” said Mary Patstone, Executive Director, Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers.
Through programs like its annual “Sport and Spirit Weekend” on Cape Cod hosting veterans from across the country to camp, try adaptive sports and connect with each other, SASC has always had a strong interest in supporting veterans with disabilities. SASC has offers year-round programs based out of Cape Cod, Boston and the North Shore in a variety of adaptive sports such as sled hockey, windsurfing, kayaking, hand cycling, skiing and more. While disabled veterans consistently participate in and are referred to these programs, clinical and academic research indicates that having programs that are completely dedicated to veterans has significant psychosocial benefits for peer support and emotional healing.
Joseph VanFonda (USMC Sgt.Maj, Ret.), CEO of the Disabled Veterans National Foundation said, "We are proud to support Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers, as they continue to make a positive impact in veterans’ lives. We would like to congratulate and thank them for their commitment to assisting the men and women who served in defense of our country."
The Disabled Veterans National Foundation provides support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom. To learn more about SASC programs call 877-976-7272 or email at SpauldingAdaptiveSports@partners.org
About Spaulding Rehabilitation
A member of Partners HealthCare, Spaulding Rehabilitation includes Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, with a main campus in Charlestown the 3rd ranked rehabilitation hospital in the country by U.S. News & World Report, along with Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod, Spaulding Hospital Cambridge, Spaulding Nursing and Therapy Center Brighton, and 25 outpatient sites throughout Eastern Massachusetts. An acclaimed teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and home to the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding is recognized as the top residency program in the U.S. in the 2019/2020 Doximity Residency Navigator. Spaulding also was recognized by the 2019 Disability Equality Index as a “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.” For more information, please visit www.spauldingrehab.org.