The National Veterans Wheelchair Games started in 1981with just 7 sports and 77 athletes. Today, it is advertised as “the world’s largest wheelchair sports event for military veterans” and hosts over 600 athletes and more than 20 different sports annually. After canceling the event in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the games made a triumphant return in 2021 in New York City. Organized by the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the event hosted athletes ranging from 20 to 94 years old. Competitive events included the classics like swimming and cycling, and some more unique events such as disc golf, nine-ball, and boccia ball.
This year the games will take place in Tempe, Arizona on July 7-12. Registration for the event opens in just a few short weeks and closes in April. According to their website, eligibility is open to all Veterans with “spinal cord injuries, lower extremity amputations, multiple sclerosis, or other central neuro-muscular conditions" with a disability that is “permanent, measurable and require a wheelchair for sports participation.” Here is a full list of qualifying diagnoses and further information. In order to participate, participants must obtain medical clearance by a Physician, Nurse Practitioner, or Physician Assistant. In addition, a neuromuscular exam may be required which can be completed by a Physical Therapist. Due to the competitive nature of the events and the physical exertion expected, the event’s medical director highly recommends participants train prior to competing. For athletes unfamiliar or uncomfortable with self-training, meeting with a rehabilitation specialist can provide adequate support and guidance throughout the process.
There are many proven benefits for individuals with disabilities participating in adaptive sports, including physical fitness, reduced anxiety, improved sleep, and higher self-esteem. These benefits can even carry over into daily life with notable improvements in mood, affect, and productivity. It is no wonder then, why this event expands its reach beyond six short days of in-person competition. Training and preparation materials are available to attendees throughout the year, with opportunities to connect virtually with other athletes. Additionally, during the in-person competition participants are invited to social events to connect with other adaptive athletes. For many, this may be their first exposure to adaptive sports and other adaptive athletes. This setting can foster relationship building, comradery and increase participants' self-esteem and body image. One participant highlighted on their website, Twila Adams, stated “I’ve never been an athlete, not even in high school. But now I’m an athlete, because of the National Veteran Wheelchair Games.”
Regardless of an individual’s skills and athleticism, the benefits of participation remain the same. In the end, the whole purpose of an event like this is not to prove who is the best adaptive athlete. The main goal is to connect individuals in the adaptive sports world, create communities, and provide supportive networks to one another. One of the goals stated on the National Veterans Wheelchair Games website is “to highlight the unstoppable character of Veterans and foster wider respect for all people with disabilities." It’s probably safe to say that very few groups would gain respect more efficiently than 600+ Veterans on a mission to change our perception of adaptive sports and disability.
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