PTs who want to give something back to those who have given their all (and more) to their country should look into the famous National Veterans Wheelchair Games, an annual event organized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that draws more than 500 athletes from all across the country (and abroad).

The Wheelchair Games were originally created by World War II vets who, confined to unfamiliar metal devices and forced to learn a whole new range and method of movement, felt stifled by their newfound limitations. The wheelchair-bound vets decided to experiment with a game of basketball—on wheels. Their legacy became a bona fide way of life in spirit, action, and tradition—beginning in 1980 when the VA established a recreation therapy service. The VA’s efforts brought about a greater understanding of the rehabilitative value of wheelchair athletics and, eventually, the Wheelchair Games as they are today. Now in their 26th year, the Games include events far beyond the scope of that of the original innovative basketball players.

Playing With Heart
This past year’s event took place in a variety of arenas, including high schools, convention centers, sports centers, and bowling alleys, in Anchorage, Alaska, during the week of July 3–8, 2006. “The town did a great job of supporting the athletes through volunteering and cheering for the athletes,” says Michelle Lanouette, a PT affiliated with the event for the purpose of classifying the athletes so that participants with equal levels of disabilities compete against one another. In other words, Lanouette helps to level the playing field.

The athletes participate in a wide range of sports, including swimming, table tennis, weight lifting, archery, air guns, basketball, softball, quad rugby, bowling, hand cycling, wheelchair slalom, power soccer, a motorized wheelchair rally, and track and field. Additionally, a power chair relay was offered as an exhibition event this year.

The event is held not only to expose disabled veterans to the healthful nature of sports, but also to improve their quality of life. The Games have produced a number of national and world-class champions in a number of sports. In fact, the Games offer a wide variety of sports for novices, as well as advanced players. Typically, a quarter of the competitors have never before participated in any type of organized wheelchair sports competition.

Including Lanouette, there are six to eight medical classifiers composed of either PTs or physicians. “PTs also get involved in other areas of the Games,” says Lanouette, who mentions that the PTs usually participate as coaches, officials, or volunteers. “I enjoy classifying the athletes and learning about their individual history and goals for the Games. I also enjoy watching the athletes compete and see the sense of accomplishment they experience after completing their events.

“The athletes are very inspirational and learn from and meet many new and interesting veterans from all over the US, Puerto Rico, and England,” she adds, saying that it’s not just working with the athletes that inspires her each year. “I also enjoy collaborating with other health care professionals from many different VAs throughout the US.” Lanouette started being involved with the Wheelchair Games 10 years ago and continues classifying the athletes to this day. She estimates that the total number of participants at the event, including the athletes, coaches, support staff, and volunteers, is more than 2,000.

How It All Began
The first National Veterans Wheelchair Games were held in 1981, the “International Year of Disabled Persons,” at the VA Medical Center in Richmond, Va. That year, 74 veterans from 14 states competed in sports ranging from table tennis and billiards to swimming and weight lifting. Those first Games established the event’s character and purpose: to establish a strong sense of common identity and camaraderie among the participants.

As the years went on, the Games grew in popularity. By 1985, the Games presented a challenge to VA medical centers hosting the program due to its growing size, complexity, and resources needed. Since most of the participants were paralyzed veterans, the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) offered to become a cosponsor. PVA recruited corporations to help obtain resources needed to support the national event. Now an ongoing part of the Games, the sponsor programs have helped the Games to grow, both in the number of competitors and the variety of sports offered.

The Games currently are the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world. Last year, 498 wheelchair athletes from 46 states, Puerto Rico, and Great Britain participated in the Games, held in Minneapolis. Next year, the Games will take place in Milwaukee. The event is free to the public. More information can be found at www1.va.gov/vetevent/nvwg/2006/Default.cfm