He saw disabilities ranged from leg and hand amputees, different injuries, mostly from combat situations, or stress disorders or traumatic brain injury. The clinic drew veterans “from all over” he said, including Buffalo, N.Y., Alabama, Massachusetts, and many from Connecticut.

“These people deserved a nice treat for the weekend,” he said.

In conjunction with the New England Handicapped Sports Association and instructors, Leaps of Faith volunteers offered a weekend of waterskiing, kayaking, swimming and fishing on Lake Lillinonah. Bergen Bass Masters of New Jersey attended and offered fishing lessons. The Boston Veterans Affairs Hospital volunteers and the handicapped sports association provided kayaking.

“It’s a tremendous amount of work and the weather was stressful,” but Mr Zeisler believes he will do the clinic again.

See LeapsOfFaithWaterskiers.com, where the event is described as “primarily for Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, men and women alike who are coming home with life changing injuries. The goal is to have fun, socialization and to learn the skill of water-skiing and kayaking.”

Soldiers arrived Thursday, June 23, and on Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, they visited Lake Lillinonah in Southbury for water events, lunch, and a block party and banquet.

The Leaps of Faith volunteers have upcoming clinics on Lake Zoar scheduled for August 6, August 27, and September 10. Traffic on the water will be restricted one quarter of a mile below the Shepaug Dam for disabled water-skiing event. To learn more about the Sandy Hook-based Leaps of Faith Waterski club, contact Mr  Zeisler at 203-426-0666.