At 79 years old, John Albrecht proves that age and disability are no match for an active spirit. This Stark County veteran and U.S. Army service member from the Vietnam War era recently took up curling—and he's been skiing for years. His motto? "If you want to stay upright, you've got to stay active."

Living with macular degeneration, which affects his central vision, Albrecht doesn't let blindness slow him down. He recently participated in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village, Colorado, for the fourth consecutive year. Representing the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center's blind therapy center, he tackled alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and curling with enthusiasm.

Curling, a team sport where players slide granite stones toward a target on ice, was a new challenge. "It was a lot of fun because the instructors explained the game," Albrecht shared. With instructors guiding his arms and wearing a helmet for safety, he used a stick attached to the stone to push it down the ice—no sweeping required for this four-person team. "Because of my disability, all I got to do was push the stone down," he said with a smile.

Albrecht's journey is a powerful reminder that staying active isn't just about physical health—it's about embracing new experiences and overcoming obstacles. Whether you're hitting the slopes or trying a new sport, the right gear and mindset can make all the difference. For anyone hesitant to step out of their comfort zone, Albrecht's story offers simple, inspiring advice: keep moving, keep trying, and don't let anything hold you back.