Wheelchair Games

Pamela Foley wondered what happened to the child she gave up for adoption in 1983. They met for the first time at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

Josh Maley was in a deep depression and never thought he'd golf again. The para-mobile gave him back the game he loves and got him back to the game of life.

Noah Currier a Marine Corps Veteran who was paralyzed after getting home from Iraq, started Oscar Mike, an American-made apparel company and foundation.

Chosen from the 611 super athletes at the wheelchair games, Keith Thompson was given the Spirit of the Games award for his “athletic achievement, leadership and support of his fellow Veterans.”

His go-to sports at the Wheelchair Games are softball, basketball and slalom – a grueling, timed obstacle course that puts athletes through a series of challenges, including greased, uneven surfaces and narrow passages.

“He’s been a great addition to the crew because he is such a role model in the wheelchair basketball community. We brought him on to provide great competition, but to also help with the education and links our Veterans need when they go home."

VA program focuses on helping Veterans realize what they can do, instead of what they can’t do,

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games and other adaptive sports programs help Veterans integrate into the community through sports like wheelchair basketball, rugby, downhill skiing, surfing and more, but it also introduces Veterans to another world outside the walls of a VA medical center.

The Wheelchair Games are an annual event co-hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Army Veteran Jimmy Green has been competing in the wheelchair games for 22 years and has won 67 medals. He enjoys seeing new Veterans participate because he knows how much it will mean to their lives

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