The 35th annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games is now taking applications for the world's largest wheelchair sports event for disabled veterans. The games will be held in Dallas from June 21-26. Registration closes in April.
The games, run jointly by Paralyzed Veterans of American and the Department of Veterans Affairs, are a great way for disabled veterans with amputations, spinal-cord injuries or neurological injuries to live active lives through wheelchair sports. If a veteran is eligible for care from the VA, he or she is eligible to participate.
Register early, because spaces fill quickly. Call your VA therapist, if you have one, or the local chapter representative for Paralyzed Veterans.
If you're not ready to compete this year, hook up with VA Rehabilitation Programs and Paralyzed Veterans of America in your area to get involved in sports and recreation. They can help guide you on what your next steps might be.
If you don't know how to get started, contact Dave Tostenrude, NVWG director for the VA, at 202-560-7352 or by email at [email protected]. Or you can contact Tom Brown, Paralyzed Veterans sports consultant, at 817-673-2812 or send email to [email protected].
Participating in a sport at the games isn't the only way you can get involved. Be a volunteer -- 3,000 will be needed in a multitude of capacities.
To sign up or get more information, go online to www.wheelchairgames.org or call one of the contacts above. You'll find links to local sports clubs and adaptive sports opportunities -- such billiards, bowling, bass tour, shooting sports and handcycling -- through Paralyzed Veterans. Through the VA, you can get involved in winter sports clinics, golden-age games, summer sports clinics and more.
Make the call. It could make a big difference in your life.
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Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to [email protected].
(c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.
General News on 01/28/2015