New England Healing Sports Association
NEHSA is a group of people who pool their knowledge skills and courage to participate in sports activities. Skiing remains the central sport because of its amazing adaptability to many type of disabilities.
NEHSA was founded in 1972 by a group of returning war veterans, as a weekend alpine ski program for people with physical disabilities. The organization has expanded its services to include summer paddle sports and serves both veterans and civilians with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities, who are seeking to enjoy active and independent lives through participation in outdoor recreation.
Through individual instruction and adaptive equipment, we are able to facilitate a greater sense of independence, positive attitude, access to social opportunities, and personal growth by way of challenges that sport and recreation present.
NEHSA offers adaptive alpine and snowboard lessons to people of all ages and all disabilities. At Mount Sunapee Resort, where our home base and winter program reside, skiers participate in either a stand up or sit-down program, some people try both. Among our stand-up skiers are amputees, persons who have recovered from polio or strokes, skiers with cerebral palsy, visual and/or hearing impairments, and persons with developmental disabilities. Participants in our sit-down program may include persons with spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, paraplegia and quadriplegia. To learn more and to complete intake paperwork, click here!
NEHSA’S summer program offers the opportunity for people living with a disability to develop new skills, build physical strength, and enjoy the beautiful summer weather with family and friends. Lessons are offered to all ages and all disabilities from June through September at Lake Sunapee State Beach.
No experience is necessary and NEHSA provides all the necessary equipment. The staff of summer volunteers train intensively all year to ensure students’ safety and fun on the water. There are a number of instructors certified through the American Canoe Association (ACA).
Our mission
NEHSA serves individuals and families through adaptive sports, promoting healing and accomplishment.
Our vision
A world with strong, supportive communities providing full access to natural resources, an active lifestyle, and the highest possible level of independence.
Activities
See AllAlpine/Downhill Skiing
Alpine skiing, or downhill skiing, is the pastime of sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis. There are tons of disabled skiers flying down the slopes across the country. Experienced skiers make it look easy as they swoosh and cut their way through powdery (and sometimes not so powdery) snow. While it takes some practice to refine…
Kayaking
When you go skiing, you need to find a mountain and cold weather. You don’t need anything special to start kayaking. Kayaking is just down the road. -Joe Mornini, Executive Director of Team River Runner Getting Started Looking to spend a quiet afternoon enjoying the outdoors and scenery? Perhaps you’re more of a thrill…
Paddle Boarding
Snowboarding
All About Snowboarding History Thank you to Lindsay Schultz for contributing information to this article. Pipelines, shredding, jibbers, and boardercross are all part of the colorful trappings of what’s attracting winter sports lovers to the country’s newest and most popular pursuit of things-that-go-bump-in-the-snow. Otherwise known as snowboarding….. Originally embraced by preteen and adolescent males who…
Hiking
Take a Hike! Outdoor Adventure Awaits Everyone is concerned with fitness these days. Many people are also concerned with watching their personal budget, too. So what activity offers fun and fitness as well as being easy on the wallet? The answer is hiking, and almost everybody can do it, whether it’s simply utilizing community park…
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing 101 Getting Started It’s time for the fresh, chilly air and peaceful scenery offered by winter sports. If you’re looking for a way to improve balance and spatial awareness, and to get exercise at a level that you can set for yourself, consider adaptive snowshoeing this season. Snowshoeing is the “quiet” snow sport, according…
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