Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/850186
USICERINKS.COM JULY.AUGUST.2017 / 41 S erving in our country's military requires courage. So does taking on the world after losing your sight. Bruce Porter intends to extend the opportunity to both communities, starting Learn to Skate USA programs for visually impaired individuals nationwide. "The freedom a person feels from ice skating is so unique," Porter said. "There's nothing as exhilarating. I want our visually impaired veterans to feel that freedom. I want them to know there are no limits to what they can accomplish." It all started five months ago when Porter, a hockey player turned competitive ice dancer and all-around skating coach at the Mount Vernon RECenter in Fairfax, Virginia, was approached by the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), an Alexandria, Virginia-based organization that strives to promote the welfare of blinded veterans through a variety of services and programs, all free of charge. One of those programs, blind ice hockey, had recently received a grant to continue development from the Veterans Administration. "I grew up playing ice hockey and my dad is retired Army, so obviously I jumped at the chance to be involved and help build the program," Porter said. He's since earned the title of Program Director for BVA Sports. "I was familiar with Learn to Skate through my previous coaching," Porter continued. "It was a natural fit. Learn to Skate opens doors, and we needed a step in-between never having ice "I HEARD ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS SAY HE FELT LIKE HE WAS ALIVE AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 12 YEARS. IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. IF THESE PROGRAMS CAN HAVE THAT EFFECT ON ONE PERSON, THEN ANOTHER, THEN ANOTHER, THAT'S REALLY WHAT LEARNING TO SKATE IS ALL ABOUT."