The Baskis Project

A conversation with a Surfer who accidentally became an Army Ranger. After military retirement Chaz found work as a Gunfighter, Corporate Business Owner, & Marijuana "Grow-Master" in an attempt to find a cure for PTSD.

May have to sit down and chat with Chaz again, but maybe next time on location in Hawaii...

Larry Carlin is an Army Veteran and visually impaired. He went ice climbing with Paradox Sports for their "Paradox Ice" event in Ouray, CO. After the event, Larry joined up with Steve to chat about military service, Vietnam, blindness, ice climbing and more. To find out more about Paradox Sports, visit www.paradoxsports.org

Dr. Thomas Zampieri served as an Army Medic from 1972 until September 1975. After college he enlisted in the Army National Guard, retiring in 2000 as a Major after 22 years. His service included 13 years as a Military Aeromedical Flight Surgeon, logging more than 600 hours of flight operations.

Tom graduated from Hahnemann Medical University's Physician Assistant Program in June1978. He obtained a Bachelor Science Degree from State University of New York and graduated with a Master's Degree in Political Science from University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, in 2003. Dr. Zampieri completed his Political Science Ph.D. at Lacrosse University in December 2005. He was employed in April 2005 as the Director of Government Relations for BVA, presenting testimony before U.S. Congressional Committees on a variety of veterans' issues.

Retiring from BVA in 2013, Tom currently serves on the Association's Board of Directors and is chairman of BVA Government Relations Committee. Tom has 5 percent vision in both eyes resulting from degenerative retinal disease. He has volunteered since 2010 in planning an award-winning international exchange program with the Blind Veterans UK known as Project Gemini in eight year now. He has organized briefings with senior defense medical officials on military eye injuries, blast traumatic brain injuries with vision dysfunction, defense vision trauma research program, and rehabilitation services with both DOD, VA, and UK officials.

For More Information about the Blinded Veterans Association, please visit www.BVA.org

Jeff is a World Renowned Adventurer / Expedition Leader, Speaker / Facilitator, Author, Physician Assistant / High Altitude Medic, and Humanitarian.

Steve and Jeff chat about Jeff's life, service as an emergency medical professional, the No Barriers organization and of course, mountaineering.

You can find out more about Jeff at: http://jeffbevans.com

Larry Gunter, Lonnie Bedwell and Steve Baskis are completely blind and are some adventurous guys. They discuss blindness, their adventures, military service and more.

In this episode Steve and Denise Van Koevering, Chief of Blind Rehabilitation at Hines VA Hospital, talk about the days when he went through Blind Rehabilitation after he lost his eyesight. They also cover what the Blind Rehabilitation Center is and who they serve.

https://www.hines.va.gov/services/blindrehab.asp

Join Steve as he chats with his "pod" about their recent trip down the Grand Canyon with the Team River Runner "Vision Team". Eric, Mike and Ken were Steve's "eyes" on the water and in this podcast they will share their experience of guiding, challenges and other stories.

Resources:

Team River Runner: www.TeamRiverRunner.org Liquid Adventuring: www.LiquidAdventuring.com Grand Canyon Video: https://youtu.be/WH9xGn5cIkQ

A conversation with Colin Williamson, President of Blind Veterans UK.

Blind veteran and adventurer Steve Baskis shares stories of strength, resilience and courage through 360° discussion, interviews and world travel.

First show premieres February 6, 2019.

Check It Out Every Wednesday, Every Week!