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Washington, D.C. — More than 600 veterans from across the United States, Puerto Rico and Great Britain are expected to compete in the 19th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Puerto Rico, June 21-26.
The Games, the largest annual wheelchair sporting event in the United States, are presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). The competition is open to all U.S. military veterans who use wheelchairs due to spinal cord injury, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility impairments. The San Juan, P.R., VA Medical Center will host the Games this year.
Eligible veterans who have never before competed in the Games or in wheelchair sports are especially encouraged to participate. While this event has produced world-class wheelchair athletes, for many newly injured veterans it is their first exposure to wheelchair sports.
"We at VA want to go beyond treating American’s injured veterans by healing them in our hospitals and sending them back to their homes," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Togo D. West Jr. "We hold national sports and recreational events such as these Games to introduce our patients to an active and healthy lifestyle after injury. We seek to give them the fuel to regain their self-confidence and to overcome new challenges."
"The Games are so much more than an athletic event," said PVA National President Homer S. Townsend. "Many participants claim that the Games changed their lives, reintroducing them to their forgotten self-esteem and confidence. The Games reminded them of their abilities and distanced them from their disabilities, both in sports and in the many other daily challenges faced in life."
In this year’s events, veterans will go for the gold in track and field, swimming, basketball, weightlifting, softball, airguns, quad rugby, bowling, table tennis, archery, a wheelchair rally, and wheelchair slalom.
The 19th National Veterans Wheelchair Games will be kicked off June 21 by the 1999 Disabled Sports, Recreation and Fitness Expo — a gathering of suppliers of products or services related to the health, well being, sports and recreational needs of individuals with disabilities.
VA is a recognized leader in rehabilitation, with sports and recreational therapy programs at each of its 172 medical centers. PVA, a national veterans service organization chartered by Congress, has for more than 50 years served the needs of its members, all of whom have catastrophic paralysis caused by spinal cord injury or disease.
Roxanne Fischetti
Special Events Coordinator
VA Office of Public Affairs
(202) 273-5736
Cliff McDowell
Media Relations Manager, PVA
(202) 416-7683
Arturo Pérez-Chacón
San Juan VA Medical Center
(787) 766-5665
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