What began in 1978 with two San Diego disabled veterans in wheelchairs wanting to learn how to sail has grown into an internationally known, therapeutic, adaptive sailing program called Challenged America.
What began in 1978 with two San Diego disabled veterans in wheelchairs wanting to learn how to sail has grown into an internationally known, therapeutic, adaptive sailing program called Challenged America. From September 20 to 25, at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hosted the 2nd National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic for recently injured veterans; Challenged America provided the daily sailing venue, with collaborator SailUSA11.com.
According to Urban Miyares, cofounder of Challenged America and blinded Vietnam veteran, “It truly is a cherished time for us when those of us who are veterans and combat-disabled vets can give back to our brothers and sisters who followed us in service and combat. We definitely can relate and share at this event, and the public can get directly involved and be part of the rehab and healing process, too.”
Participants sailed San Diego’s Big Bay in Challenged America’s fleet of sailboats and in SailUSA11.com’s Stars & Stripes America’s Cup yacht.
Challenged America is a therapeutic program of the 501(c)(3) charitable Disabled Businesspersons Association. It’s a learn-to-sail and advanced adaptive sailing, year-round educational program for kids and adults with disabilities, their families, physical therapists, and recreational rehabilitation and sailing professionals. All 12 vessels in its fleet are donated.
Contact: www.ChallengedAmerica.org / Ahoy@ChallengedAmerica.org.
