Veterans across the country are in Detroit July 9-14 to participate in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games – an annual adaptive sports competition co-presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America for Veterans who require a wheelchair for athletic competition.
Nineteen veteran athletes and therapists from VA Augusta Health Care System will participate in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Several of those veterans live outside the Augusta area, but competitors such as Dr. Lisa Maddox, Amy Dotson and Justin Hall, live in Grovetown; Jeanette Thompson and Cynthia Todd are from Augusta; Scott Winkler is from Appling and Michael Bishop is from Beech Island.
The five-day event, with its focus on demonstrating the unstoppable character of veterans, offers competitors the opportunity to showcase their talents through events such as basketball, softball, and wheelchair rugby. Approximately 500 Veterans from across the country are expected to participate and will be supported by around 3,000 volunteers and sponsors,” according to a news release from the VA Augusta Health Care System.
“The Wheelchair Games epitomizes the strength, courage, and determination of our veterans.” said Dave Tostenrude, Director of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. “I’m excited for them to have this impactful experience as part of their health care journey.”
The first Wheelchair Games were held in 1981. For 45 years, the event has empowered veterans to live more independent and active lives through adaptive sports, fitness, and recreation.
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