Region: Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee
New England Healing Sports Association (NEHSA) is a non-profit
based at Mount Sunapee Resort committed to offering year-round outdoor activities to individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. Over time, NEHSA has evolved from its initial focus on supporting veterans with physical disabilities to providing comprehensive assistance to anyone seeking their services (e.g. persons recovered from polio or strokes, individuals with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, paraplegia and quadriplegia, visual and/or deaf, and persons with developmental disabilities).
In this episode of the 603podcast, Dan Egan had an engaging conversation with Carly Bascom, the Executive Director of NEHSA, discussing the non-profit’s efforts to provide specialized support and accessibility for their community and their exploration of expanding future offerings so participants can access a range of new experiences in exciting places.
Currently, Carly and her team, comprised of both paid staff and volunteers, organize a wide range of activities throughout the year, including skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and recently, hiking. The organization thrives on the dedication of its volunteers, who play a crucial role in its operations and continuously encourage community members to participate.
Carly shared in the podcast that “really anybody could come through our doors at any moment,” and NEHSA does their best to support them. She is grateful to her strong and supportive volunteer base for their ability to adapt and meet participant needs.
Funding for NEHSA primarily comes from grants and fundraising efforts, which also serve to raise awareness about the organization’s programs. During their conversation, Dan and Carly emphasized the importance of providing participants with
Carly expressed her passion for the mountains and shared the significance of offering a diverse range of adaptive sports opportunities facilitated by trained volunteers, always ensuring that fun is at the top of mind. NEHSA prides itself on its inclusive approach, welcoming individuals of all ages and abilities, whether they are veterans, hospital patients, or students, to experience the wonders of the outdoors.
Looking ahead, Carly mentioned that NEHSA is constantly exploring new experiences and sports to offer the community. 
In the interview, she shared “It’s always exciting to think about different programs that we could add”. However, she emphasized that this endeavor relies heavily on the support of volunteers and funding. Anyone interested in contributing their time, athletic skills, or financial support is encouraged to reach out to NEHSA.
For more information about NEHSA and ways to get involved, please visit www.nehsa.org.
