Stillwater Veteran at Adaptive Sports Clinic

Stillwater Army veteran Michael Simon, 40, is participating this week in the third National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic in San Diego.

"The National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic is an inspiring program, designed to teach recently-injured Veterans, like Simon, how participating in adaptive sports can change their lives," according to a release from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "(The) VA is committed to improving the quality of life for veterans with disabilities. Participants will develop sports skills and take part in a variety of adaptive sports workshops. Clinic participation demonstrates that having a physical or visual disability is not an obstacle to an active rewarding life."

Simon is a combat-wounded veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and receives care at the VA medical facility in Minneapolis.

Events at the summer clinic include adaptive kayaking, sailing, track and field, cycling and surfing. Athletes practice at venues throughout San Diego, including the U.S. Olympic Training Center, Mission Bay Yacht Club, San Diego Bay, Silver Strand State Beach and La Jolla Shores.

Participation is open to military Veterans who are eligible for VA medical care and who have orthopedic amputations, traumatic brain injuries, burn injuries, psychological trauma, certain neurological conditions, visual impairment, spinal cord injuries and other injuries incurred in the last six years.