Hundreds of Veterans to Participate in National Veterans Wheelchair Games

Largest wheelchair sporting event provides therapeutic benefit to disabled U.S. Veterans

WASHINGTON — Nearly 600 of the country’s best wheelchair athletes are arriving in Cincinnati, Ohio, for the 37^th National Veterans Wheelchair Games being held July 17 — 22.

“The Wheelchair Games is a great example of some of the finest athletes on the planet displaying true skill and determination,” said Dr. David J. Shulkin, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “These Veterans have overcome significant injuries and through intense rehabilitation and training, they have pushed themselves to the limit of athletic ability and competition.”

VA and Paralyzed Veterans of America present the games each year. The multi-event sports rehabilitation program is open to U.S. Veterans with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities who require the use of wheelchairs for athletic competition, and who are eligible to receive care at VA medical facilities.

“The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is the most anticipated week of the year for so many Paralyzed Veterans members,” said David Zurfluh, national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “The athleticism and community the games offer Veterans with spinal cord injury or disease is a crucial component to their ongoing rehabilitation, and we’re proud to partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs each year to present them. We encourage the Cincinnati community to come out and support our Veteran athletes this week.”

VA research and clinical experience verify that physical activity is important to maintaining good health, speeding recovery and improving overall quality of life. For many injured Veterans, the games provide their first exposure to wheelchair athletics. Veterans competing in the games come from nearly every state, as well as Puerto Rico and Great Britain.

Opening ceremonies will be held at 6 p.m. July 17 in the Grand Ballroom at Cincinnati’s Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., where many of the week’s competitive events take place. Other events will be held at Stargel Stadium, Fairfield Sportsmen’s Association, Yeatman’s Cove Park, Powell Crosley Jr. YMCA, and other venues around the Cincinnati metro area.

For a complete schedule of events and additional information about the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, visit www.wheelchairgames.org. Follow #NVWG on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.