Veterans Games On — National Veterans Wheelchair Games Coming to Omaha this Summer

Later this summer, more wheelchair athletes from across the nation-veterans from the Greatest Generation to the latest generation-will gather to test their agility, athleticism and strength of spirit in a one-of-a-kind event: the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Founded 28 years ago, the Games are the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world and rehab at its best for our brave heroes.

Get ready for 500 plus wheelchair athletes, 17 events over 5 days, co-presented by two partners: Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). From quad rugby to handcycling, power soccer to wheelchair slalom, the games are an exciting combination of competition, camaraderie and courage.

The Games are open to all U.S. military veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility impairments.

The Games are an opportunity for wheelchair athletes to make new friends and see old ones. New competitors often benefit from the mentoring and friendship of more experienced wheelchair athletes. Many participants undergo a training program months before the event. Perhaps the most important outcome is that the Games represent a continuation of the rehabilitation that the athletes receive via the VA health care system. Physical fitness and a sense of accomplishment are achieved by every athlete who participates, regardless of how many medals they take home. But like serving our great nation, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games are not about the medals: They're about taking part.

Each athlete may compete in up to five events: They include swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, archery, air guns, basketball, nine-ball, softball, quad rugby, bowling, hand cycling, wheelchair slalom, power soccer, a motorized wheelchair rally, and track and field. Exhibition events are also being planned.

Several years ago, Paralyzed Veterans introduced a "Kids Day" at the Games where local children with disabilities have the opportunity to interact with athletes, participate in sporting events and become part of the pageantry that is the Games.

The 28th Games will take place July 25-29 in Omaha, NE. Please join us if you're in the Omaha area. Admission is FREE and open to the public. You'll be inspired.

Learn more about the work of Paralyzed Veterans' http://www.pva.org/.

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Founded in 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease. Paralyzed Veterans is a dynamic, broad-based organization with more than 19,000 members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. To learn more about Paralyzed Veterans, visit its website at http://www.pva.org/.

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