2010 National Veterans Wheelchair Games

This year will be extra special in Denver for celebrating the Fourth of July. Over 500 disabled military veterans will be traveling to Denver, Colorado from July 4th-9th for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the largest annual wheelchair sports competition in the world in it’s 30th year. The event offers 17 different wheelchair sports including air guns, archery, basketball, bowling, field, handcycling, motor rally, nine ball, power soccer, quad rugby, wheelchair slalom, softball, swimming, table tennis, track, trapshooting, and weightlifting.  Kayaking will also be featured as an exhibition event.  Everyone is encouraged to come, and admission is free. This year’s games are presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

“Independence Day is the perfect day to kick off this year’s National Veterans Wheelchair Games,” said Gene A. Crayton, national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “For 30 years, the Wheelchair Games have helped to empower thousands of paralyzed Veterans to get back into life after serious injury, and to eventually lead full and independent lives.”

This year there are 6 participants that have competed as world-class Paralympic athletes.  The National Veterans Wheelchair Sports event is also open to all Veterans that use a wheelchair due to injury, amputation, or certain neurological problems.

Even if you can’t attend, there is a website where you can send a personalized message to one or all veterans participating in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games this weekend.  The staff at Paralyzed Veterans of America will print out the heart-shaped notes and post them on a Wall of Hearts at the Games for athletes to read and be inspired by.  This is a great way to show additional love and support whether or not you can be there.

To send a virtual heart message, visit this link: http://www.supportvets.org/0610heart/landing.cfm

View a list of some of the participants along with their background information here: http://www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/wcg/profiles.asp

For more information about the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, visit the Games Web site at www.wheelchairgames.va.gov.

Last year’s event was held in Spokane, Washington. View a video montage below: