Veterans wheelchair games kick off in Spokane

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matthew Bates
  • Defense Media Activity-San Antonio
SPOKANE, Wash. (AFNS) --  More than 500 disabled veterans rolled into the convention center here to take part in the 2009 National Veterans Wheelchair Games July 13 through 19. 

The event, which is sponsored by the Paralyzed Veterans of America and Department of Veterans Affairs, began July 13 with a wheelchair basketball demonstration and a disabled sports, recreation and fitness expo. 

The Veterans Wheelchair Games were created as an avenue for wheelchair-bound veterans to compete in a variety of sports and is currently the largest wheelchair sports event in the world, VA officials said. 

"President Barack Obama recently said that caring for veterans and their families is a matter of honor as a nation," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "The National Veterans Wheelchair Games highlight our nation's commitment to our wounded heroes. The games also allow those veterans to teach us all the meaning of heroism, determination and comradeship." 

The veterans, who come from all services, will compete in various sporting events throughout the week, including basketball, rugby, bowling, weightlifting and softball. 

Sports are an important therapy tool used to treat many disabilities. For many injured veterans, the Wheelchair Games provide their first exposure to wheelchair athletics. 

"These games are committed to improving the quality of life for veterans with disabilities and fostering better health through sports competition," Secretary Shinseki said. "These athletes show a lot of determination, stamina and will to overcome their disabilities and we celebrate this spirit and their service." 

Founded in 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered Veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of people with spinal cord injury or disease. It is a dynamic, broad-based organization with more than 19,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 

The Spokane VA Medical Center and the Northwest Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America are hosting the 2009 Games. Veterans competing in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games come from nearly every state, as well as several competitors from Puerto Rico, South Korea and England. 

The events are free and open to the public. 

For more information about the National Veterans Wheelchair Games or to volunteer during the week, visit the official Web site at www.wheelchairgames.va.gov.