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Disabled Vets Experience Joys of Water Sports

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A Virginia water ski club takes summer fun to a new level for former military service members with disabilities.  They volunteer their boats and their time to get disabled vets up on skis with specialized equipment.  It’s part of USO Wounded Warriors week. Drew and Cindy Newman love using their boat to express their Christian faith.
    
Drew says, “We are actively involved with helping these soldiers, these military families, that’s what Christ did. He went out in the streets.  He touched on the people, he loved on the people.”

Cindy adds, “I love skiing.  Just love it.  And now we can offer it to those that normally would not be able to do it at all.”
    
The club used to sponsor the event just once a year because they had to borrow the specialized gear. They wanted to provide water sports to the disabled all summer long so they founded Virginia Beach Adaptive Watersports. But they needed money to buy their own equipment.  Executive Director Dallas Norman was responsible for raising the funds.
        
Dallas says, “I worry about where the funds are coming from every day. You wonder, “how am I to get something going? How am I going to get the funds to keep this thing, to buy what we need to buy? “
    
CBN’s Helping the Home Front heard about their need and had a big surprise!
        
Project Direct Dory Nissen says, “Helping the Home Front is in a position to be able to help you!  CBN would like to give you guys $10,000 to buy what you need. What do you think?”

Drew says, “Well I say thank you very much. This money, it’s all going to be buying a lot of very nice equipment that we will get years and years out of. We are really going to be able to touch the hearts and spirits of our soldiers and their families.
        
Bill Ferding has been paralyzed for 16 years. On this day, he was back on the water.

Bill says, “I’m waterskiing! Myself and my family have enjoyed waterskiing our whole lives and I’m still water skiing.  I’ve been out doing several laps today just like everybody else!”

Virginia Beach Adaptive Watersports can now keep wounded warriors on the water all summer for years to come. Thanks to helping the home front.
Cindy says, “You wouldn’t think that helping someone get back into the water and ski would bless them beyond words. But it does. “

 

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About The Author

Dory Nissen
Dory
Nissen

Dory Nissen has been story telling for CBN since 1993. She joined CBN when her husband received orders to Norfolk, VA. She loves sharing stories of God’s grace. Her most recent focus has been on producing stories showcasing how CBN financially helps military families. As a Navy sailor’s wife, she understands the challenges military life brings.