Washougal resident participates in national veterans sports clinic

WASHOUGAL — Navy veteran Sarah Aktepy of Washougal participated in the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic in San Diego from Sept. 15 to Sept. 20. The clinic, in its 12th year, is hosted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in collaboration with the Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans Canteen Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System and others. The event includes 130 veterans from across the country and who have a variety of injuries, from traumatic brain injury to loss of limbs. Aktepy suffered a traumatic brain injury while deployed in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The clinic is a training ground for wounded veterans and health care providers in summer sports, such as surfing, sailing, kayaking, pickle ball and cycling. “I want to find joy in every day,” Aktepy said. “I continue to let go of all personal judgments and simply embrace life.”