Chronic pain melts away on the slopes

By Kevin Miller

Driven by a deep sense of patriotism and a desire to serve his country, Charles Hastings enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1970.

He sought a path where he could contribute to his country and also acquire valuable, transferrable skills. The Air Force provided it.

Hastings served for 20 years as a water and fuel systems maintenance specialist. His service took him all over the U.S. and abroad, including duty stations in Texas, Massachusetts, Alaska, Utah and Germany.

But early in his military career, Hastings fell through some scaffolding about 25 feet while working and sustained a devasting injury to his right leg.

“I ended up fracturing my fibula and tibia, and tore multiple ligaments in my knee including the anterior cruciate ligament,” Hastings said. “I was just fortunate that I didn’t sustain anything more significant than I did falling from that height, but it led to a long, grueling rehabilitation process.”

Knee surgeries in the 1970s were considered career-ending, but Hastings recovered enough to continue his service. However, his right knee was never the same and eventually led to recurrent back issues.

Over the years, Hastings dealt with chronic pain stemming from that fall, which has dramatically intensified over time. He’s has had multiple knee and back surgeries and had a spinal cord stimulator installed in 2020 to help relieve some of the pain.

During Hastings’ rehabilitation from that back surgery, his physical therapist at the VA medical center in Salt Lake City mentioned the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and invited him to participate.

“She thought the winter sports clinic would be a great way to help with my balance, improve on different aspects of my physical therapy and provide me with a more positive outlook on life,” Hastings said. “The constant struggle of chronic pain had become overwhelming and started to have a negative impact on me mentally.”

Hastings attended his first winter sports clinic in 2023 with his wife, Mimmie, and is returning this year with his youngest son, Joe, serving as his caregiver.

“I get such a thrill going up the gondola and riding around the snow-capped mountains either on sit skis or a snowmobile,” Hastings said. “As a DAV life member, I think events like this are an incredible experience to intermingle with other Veterans, learn their stories and participate in something that can be life-changing. I’m just so blessed and thankful for this opportunity.”

Caregivers are unsung heroes, and their contributions enhance Veterans’ quality of life. Learn how DAV Caregivers Support can help you care for your loved one when you return home after the clinic: davcaregivers.org.