Adaptive Sports

Veteran and retired VA employee Mary Bader first became interested in the Golden Age Games when her Korean War Veteran father participated.

Making it even more special for him is that this was his first time playing wheelchair rugby in 15 years. He looked a little winded after his first of two complete games, but in all he felt good.

Army Veteran Kristie Townsend is competing for the first time at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which has been shown her a whole new world of opportunity.

VA and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) co-present the event, with VA NY Harbor Healthcare System hosting the 2021 Wheelchair Games—the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports event solely for Veterans. Veterans will be participating in 21 adaptive sports and recreational events in the “Big Apple” and at-home from their communities across the nation. The games mark a major milestone of 40 years of empowering the nation’s Veterans to live happy and healthy lives through adaptive sports and recreation.

VA is accepting applications from Veterans interested in participating in the 2021 National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic (NVSSC) at Home.

Air Force Veteran Emerald Ralston stepped off the southern point of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain, Georgia, March 19. Since then, she has been hiking, connecting with nature and recovering from a difficult transition out of the military. She’s on a mission to complete the 2,185-mile long trail through the help of Warrior Expeditions.

LifeWaters non-profit teaches adaptive scuba diving to those with mobility challenges and each year they take a terminally ill Veteran on a Hero Dive.

In the first-ever National Veterans Golden Age Games (at Home), nearly 200 Veterans participated in the weeklong event, which included six competitions for Veterans to complete at home.

The 35th Annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic will look a bit different but the mission remains the same. This year’s five-day event, sponsored by VA and DAV, will be held virtually.

Joyce Casey, a Spinal Cord Injury recreation therapist, has saved and changed the lives of thousands of paralyzed Veterans.

Sports education helps foster physical fitness, mental well-being, social attitudes and behavior while populations are locked down. VA’s partnership with PGA helps Vets maintain good health.

VA is accepting applications from Veterans interested in participating in the 2021 National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic. Applications are available online at www.summersportsclinic.va.gov. The deadline to submit an application is May 1, 2021. Participation is open to eligible Veterans receiving care at any VA medical facility.