Local Veteran Participates in National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic

San Diego, Calif. -- September 21, 2010 --  Gileen Paschal, 48, Navy Veteran from Oceanside, Calif. is participating in the 3rd National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, being held through September 25th in San Diego, California.  The National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic is an inspiring program, designed to teach recently-injured Veterans, like Paschal, how participating in adaptive sports can change their lives. Paschal,  a combat-wounded Veteran of the Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield/Storm), is visually impaired and currently receives care at the VA medical facility in San Diego, Calif.

         Events include adaptive kayaking, sailing, track and field, cycling and surfing, taking place 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. At the week-long event, participants build strong bonds and life-long relationships with fellow Veterans.

         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.

         The VA San Diego Healthcare System is the host of this year's Clinic, and has hosted the event since its inception.

         Presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and funded with help from a host of corporate sponsors, events at the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic are a showcase for the benefit of sports rehabilitative programs, and the remarkable athletic abilities and personal achievements of our Nation's Veterans.

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Note to Editor:  If you would like to interview this Veteran, contact Susan Varcie at (734) 417-6260 or (734) 845-3706. For more information about the event, please visit the Web site at http://www.summersportsclinic.va.gov. Information above provided by the Veteran.