Wheelchair athletes participate in national veteran's competition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matthew Bates
  • Defense Media Activity-San Antonio
SPOKANE, Wash. (AFNS) --  William Ethridge won't stand up to greet people, he won't give up his seat for a lady and if someone drops something in front of him, he won't help pick it up. But he doesn't do these things because he's rude or indifferent; he just physically isn't able to. 

Mr. Ethridge is paralyzed from the waist down, the result of injuries he sustained when he dove into a lake the wrong way. 

"Right when I was diving in, someone said something to me, I turned my head to look, hit the water the wrong way and broke my neck," he said. 

But while his body may be broken, his spirit is still very much intact. 

"I've been confined to a wheelchair for nearly 30 years," he said. "But just because I'm in this chair doesn't mean I can't participate in life." 

And participating is something the Air Force veteran is all about. He's taking part in the 29th National Veterans Wheelchair Games here July 13 through 18, an annual Veterans Affairs-sponsored event that brings disabled servicemembers together to compete in a variety of sporting activities. 

"Just because these veterans are in wheelchairs doesn't mean their lives are over," said retired Army Gen. Eric Shinseki, the Veterans Affairs secretary. "These games celebrate their spirit and their sacrifices." 

It's Mr. Ethridge's first time at the games, but they've already made an impact on him. 

"It's great," he said. "I get to meet so many interesting people, make new friends and have fun playing sports." 

Mr. Ethridge is competing in bowling, nine ball and an air gun shooting event. 

"I would've signed up for more, but I wanted so see how it went, seeing as this was my first time and all," he said. 

There are plenty more he could sign up for, too. Competitors can participate in a number of sporting events, from noncontact sports like table tennis and trapshooting to full-contact sports like basketball and even rugby. 

"If it's a sport, they probably have it here," said Luis Ocasio, a volunteer at the games. "And it's great because they can come here and compete just like anyone else." 

For many wheelchair-bound veterans, competing in the games is not just about playing sports. It also gives them the chance to show that, legs or no legs, they are still athletes. 

For others, like Mr. Ethridge, the games are a way to make connections, visit old friends and make new ones. 

"I haven't played nine ball in quite a few years, and it's been even longer since I fired an air gun, " he said. "But it's fun and I'm glad I finally came out. I'm already looking forward to next year." 

Competitors at the event come from all services, all skill levels and range in ages from the 20s to the 60s. During the sporting events, the athletes compete against each other according to their athletic ability, experience level and age. 

The games are being hosted by the Spokane VA Medical Center and the Northwest Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.