Mark Ballaro ‘13
EE Staff Writer
Each year more than 500 novice and experienced athletes meet for a week of archery, swimming, weightlifting, basketball, quad rugby and more. It’s the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the largest annual wheelchair sports competition of its kind in the world. It is a great chance for veterans to prove their abilities, and express a healthy active life while remaining competitive amongst the other contestants.
This year’s games, the 32nd annual games, were held in Richmond, Virginia. It also happened to be the same location of where the 1st games were held. The participants from the first year never expected such growth in the competition. The first participants never expected the games to turn into what they have become today. Needless to say, things have changed since the year 1981. From 72 members competing in seven events with a budget of $5,000, these games have evolved to 540 members competing in 17 events in 2012. Sadly, this organization and competition is still unrecognized by many Americans. If the public were made more aware of spectacular groups such as the PVA, there would be a greater appreciation for veterans.
Maddie McGillicuddy, a senior at Trumbull High school, said. “This is the first time I have ever heard of them, but I think it is a great cause. I love that fact that the injured and disabled veterans are given a second chance.”
Most people really do care for our veterans, but they just to be informed. The PVA is a perfect example for people to follow on how to support the ones who have put their lives on the line for us.
One of the original participants, Wannie “Ike” Cook was happy and proud to have the Games back in his town. “After I was injured, this community accepted me and allowed me to live my life and supported me…I think this is the best area anywhere to grow up in, so it’s great to showcase our city. I think the volunteers here were the best ever. They’re so friendly and so supportive. I think that’s indicative of this area.”
The Paralyzed Veterans of America have greatly affected many injured war heroes with the National Veterans Wheelchair Games by inspiring them to continue being physically active despite their disabilities.
This is the first time that I have heard of the games and I am amazed that this event doesn’t have more publicity. These event is a great cause and gives veterens and second chance to compete. This event is for a great cause and more people should be aware of this event. I was amazed at the fact that there are 17 events that these 540 memebers compete in.I would love to meet these veterns that sacriviced there lives for our country and it’s great that there is an event that lets these men compete again. The events that these men do in a wheelchair is unbelivible. The games show that these men have the strength and courge many people lack.
This is also my first time hearing of the games and I find it amazing how they’ve been going on for 65 years with almost no recognition. However, I do not think that veterans need to “prove their abilities” because they are veterans for a reason, aren’t they? I do think it is very important that these veterans get recognized though because it seems like something well worth hearing about considering they’ve worked so hard throughout the years and most of them haven’t been heard of before. I think that if we spread the word about this event, it will not only be beneficial to the games, but also for the veterans.
I agree with this because it gives a chance for veterans to actually participate in activities even though they’re paralyzed. People should hold more organizations like this to show they care. I am very grateful for them fighting for our country. This gives a chance to the veterans to prove themselves that can still do normal activities even though handicapped. They fought for our country so they deserve to have something to do even though they’re injured.
I’ve never heard of this organizations but I think it is a great cause and deserves more awareness. The men and women who participate deserve the same kind of attention that professional athletes get.
I think The Paralyzed Veterans of America is an amazing organization and needs to recognized more by everyone in America.
After discovering this organization I became very inspired. I never took into consideration that there were organizations for things so specific like paralyzed veterans. I think it is an amazing cause and support it 100%. Everyone should be given a chance to succeed at something whether they have a disability or not. I think this program establishes a sense of pride among the veterans who participate and I feel this is so important. These veterans risked their lives for our country and we really should offer more programs that honor them and support them. After all, they did so much for all of us.
I think the Paralyzed Veterans of America is such a great organization. It’s a great way to show support to our veterans and give back by offering events like this. In Newtown, CT there’s a similar organization called Leaps of Faith for both veterans and disabled people. It’s so nice to see people take the time to organize such programs to reinforce our appreciativeness.
I believe that veterans do go unrecognized in our community and that this organization has created a great way to get injuried veterans recognized. This organization gives injuried veterans a chance to be part of something and interact with other veteran. These games show how determined these veterans are ands shows how much strength that they have to be able to compete in these games.
I think that veterans should be appreciated more or at least have an event more than once a year because they truly risked their lives for us. Some people forget how hard it is to serve and how brave you have to be in order to do so. I think more people would support this organization if they knew about it more. By spreading the word more about how great this cause is, may open many doors to great opportunities for these veterans.
I have never heard of these games before and believe that it should have more recognition. The Paralyzed Veterans of America is an amazing organization because they honor veterans, offer them a chance to be competitive, and help promote a healthy lifestyle. It is great that this organization has become so big since its start and hopefully it will continue to grow.
I have never heard of this organization before but it truly seems like a great thing for the veterans that risk their lives on a daily basis for us. They really should be more appreciated more and I feel like this is the right way to do so. There needs to be a way for this to become more publically known and hopefully soon there will be.