National Veterans Wheelchair Games: Do It With Style

It seems only appropriate to kick off Independence Day by not only honoring the work our military has done to protect our freedom, but also celebrating the efforts many of these men and women will be making in the 30th National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

Taking place in Denver, Colorado from July 4-9, over 500 Veteran athletes of all levels who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, amputations or certain neurological problems will participate in the annual games presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Competitions will take place in 17 different sports, including air guns, archery, basketball, bowling, field events, handcycling, nine-ball, a motorized wheelchair relay, power soccer, quad rugby, softball, swimming, table tennis, track, trapshooting, weightlifting and wheelchair slalom. An exhibition event will also be held in kayaking.

"The best part about the Games is the transformation that happens when a newly disabled person discovers that life goes on even after an injury,"said Tom Brown, Director of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. "Seeing other athletes of similar disabilities compete encourages them to strive to be the best they can."

One such athlete, Orlando Perez, has competed in the Games since 1999. "Wheelchair athletes are serious athletes," said Perez, whose passion is wheelchair basketball, but has also competed in slalom, weight lifting and track.

After becoming a paraplegic while in the Army in 1995 due to a spinal cord tumor, Perez won his first gold medal during the '99 Games in the 100 meter race and has been hooked ever since. "My family met me at the finish line after the race and that was it, there was no turning back," he said. "I needed to prove to myself and my kids that if I can overcome and succeed after a fall, they can too."

Practicing with his team for three hours every morning on conditioning, strength and technique, Perez admits being a wheelchair athlete is challenging. "I think we practice and train as hard or harder than able-bodied athletes." But he also said it's more than just the competition that drives him. "It's all about heart."

"My involvement in the Games all these years has given me growth as an athlete, but more as a person. Every medal I win is not for me, but for my family, all Veterans and the soldiers overseas."

Started in 1981, the Games were originally slated to be a one-time event. "Over the years, I am continually amazed at the popularity of this event," said Brown, "but even more impressed that over 20 percent of the athletes are first-time participants."

In addition to giving veterans a physical and competitive outlet for sports they may have thought they lost forever because of a disability, Brown believes the camaraderie and role modeling are equally as important. "We want communities to be more aware of what people with disabilities can do."

"We are athletes," said Perez. "We are not looking for pity. We push hard and play hard. Our goal is to show people that we are not disabled, but we are able to live life to the fullest. We do everything able body people can do, just a little different. And if you ask me, it's because we do it with style."

For more information about the National Veterans Wheelchair Games or to volunteer during the week, visit their Web site. The Games also feature a Kids Day where clinics are offered for youth with disabilities.

Want more inspiration? Take a look at this Veteran who cycled 4,000 miles!