Skiing against the odds: a blind veteran's journey | va north florida/south georgia health care | veterans affairs

Doug Ingram, a visually impaired Veteran from Tallahassee, Fla., recently participated in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic held in Snowmass, Colo. This event brought

together Veterans from all over the country, providing them with the opportunity to engage in various winter sports and activities, fostering camaraderie and resilience among participants. 

Ingram is a Navy Veteran who proudly served from 1977 to 1981 and continued his commitment to the military as a member of the reserves until 1989, specializing as a radar operator. At the

age of 42, Ingram received a life-altering diagnosis: he was legally blind due to a form of macular degeneration. For many, such news could be overwhelming and debilitating. However, Ingram

chose a different path. He said, “Instead of going sight-seeing I try to have experiences to make life more fulfilling. Instead of focusing on what I can’t do, I try to focus on what I can

do”  Ingram loves doing anything outside in nature. He was referred to the Adaptive Sports Program (ASP) and after experiencing some outings with the program he said, “I loved the other

Veterans in the area and the competition, camaraderie, and the energy that everyone had.” One sport that Ingram enjoys participating in is skiing. Remarkably, he took up this exhilarating

sport at the age of 62, only three years ago. Despite facing challenges due to his disability, he has found ways to make skiing work for him. He is accompanied by skilled ski instructors who

provide him with verbal cues, guiding him as he confidently navigates down the slopes.  When asked about his weekend in Snowmass Ingram shared, “It’s just a great self-esteem builder, I got

out and skied and I improved my time on race day compared to last year” Katie Blunk, Adaptive Sports Coordinator for the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System said “They call

it miracles on the mountainside, because that's what it truly is. The Veterans so often feel as though they cannot do a sport, and this clinic teaches them that we can adapt to

literally any diagnosis to help them achieve their rehab goals. It's an incredible week.” Ingram has found that the ASP program has enhanced his life in many ways “The program has

allowed me to be more outgoing and has improved my quality of life mentally and physically.”  Ingram’s perspective serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of challenges, there is

always the opportunity to redefine experiences and find joy in the possibilities that remain. Ingram’s story is an inspiration for everyone, encouraging individuals to embrace life’s

journey with resilience and creativity, no matter what obstacles they may encounter.