Join us for our next Veterans and Military Connect Group on Saturday, Feb 24th at 7:30 pm ET / 6:30 pm CT / 5:30 pm MT  /4:30 pm PT for a panel discussion with the National Veterans Sports Programs. Explore the empowering world of adaptive sports and recreation, where we tailor physical activities to accommodate arthritis challenges. Discover the VA Adaptive Sports and Arts program, which provide engaging opportunities that promote inclusivity and enhance the well-being of individuals facing arthritis. Join us to learn about the joy of movement, build resilience, and foster a sense of community through adaptive sports tailored to your unique abilities. 

Meet the panel

Amy L. Kimbler - Director, National Veterans Creative Arts Competition and Festival

Amy Kimbler currently serves as Director of the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition and Festival.  She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2000 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy and began her VA career as a creative arts therapist working with Veterans at the St. Cloud, Minnesota VA Medical Center.  She has a passion for Veterans and providing opportunities for them to be expressive themselves creatively.  Amy lives in the Twin Cities area with her husband and their two children. She enjoys spending time with family, painting, dancing, making music, playing softball, and relaxing on the lakes.

Patty Whitecotton CRTS, Certified Recreation therapy Specialist

Patricia Whitecotton earned her bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy from Kent State University and has been a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist since 1992. Patty provides community reintegration programming for the Veterans at the Northeast Ohio System of Care.   Patty was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio and loves everything the city has to offer and Her favorite pastime is to spend time with her 10 grandchildren!

Stephanie Bazal: PT, DPT, GCS

Stephanie Bazal is a physical therapist with the Minneapolis VA providing primarily tele-rehabilitation for a wide variety of diagnoses including musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and vestibular. She graduated with my doctorate in physical therapy in 2012 from The College of St. Scholastica. ). In 2016 she became a Geriatric Certified Specialist and in 2017 Geriatric Scholar. Stephanie obtained her LSVT BIG and PWR!Move certifications in order to provide specialty care for veterans with Parkinson's Disease through 1:1 interventions and Wellness Groups.  She was also part of a team that developed a virtual exercise group designed for patients’ post-hospitalization or who have generalized weakness/deconditioning due to other chronic health conditions called Fit for Life to help patients return to their prior level of function through exercise. Stephanie’s passion is providing care for older adults in the right place at the right time in order to optimize aging and promote maximum function in order for them to age in place and achieve high quality of life.

After our presentation, there will be time to connect with others. Friends, Family, and Care Partners are always welcome to join meetings.

We respect privacy and confidentiality and do not record our online meetings.

Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate via video or phone. Being on video is not required, nor having a Zoom account. A confirmation email will be sent upon registration with the Zoom link. If you do not receive the registration confirmation, please check your spam folder. Please plan to log in a few minutes early.

We look forward to seeing you soon!