Craig Wolfrom - Photographer

Essays: Battling Blindness

Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley Adaptive Sports hosts a "Snow Camp" for six Iraqi war veterans who either completely lost their sight or have become visually impaired by mortar, IED, or rocket attacks. The week uses winter sports such as downhill skiing as therapy toward emotional and phyical rehabilitation.

Ivan, leaves his room at 5:15 a.m. to use the hotel's workout facility. He is currently training for the Boston Marathon.
   
Without a radio, Ivan searches for VH1 for his workout.
   
On September 2nd, 2006, while on a rooftop in Yusufiyah, Iraq, a mortar explosion left Ivan completely blind.
     
  
Ivan regained consciousness a few days later in Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland.
   
The wives of blind soldiers take on a critical role aiding their husbands through rehabilitation-most have to quit their jobs.
   
Sun Valley Adaptive Sports (SVAS) relies on many volunteers to make camps like this one possible.
     
  
Participants at this "Snow Camp" spend four days learning to ski with professional guides. By the last day, most are skiing independently with only the help of verbal commands.
   
As Tom Iselin, director of SVAS says, "The purpose of the camp is to inspire the blind warriors to have renewed hope and belief in themselves. "
   
Iselin continues, "If successful, the warriors will return home with life skills and a meaningful experience that leads to improved relationships; improved performance at work and school; increased ability to face the challenges of blindness; and increased ability to cope with combat-related stress."