The National
Spinal Cord
Injury Association

Disability in the News

18th National Veterans Wheelchair Games Set For July 7-11, 1998

WASHINGTON, April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 600 veterans from across the nation, Puerto Rico and Great Britain are expected to compete in the 18th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, in Pittsburgh, Pa., July 7-11.

The Games, the largest annual wheelchair sporting event in the United States, are co-presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). The competiton 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 VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System will host the Games this year.

Eligible veterans who never have 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.

"I am proud to say that our VA employees do not just mend our injured veterans and send them on their way, but care enough to ensure that the lives they lead thereafter are as full and active as possible," said VA Acting Secretary Togo D. West, Jr.

"Many participants claim that the games have changed their lives, reintroducing them to their forgotten self-esteem, reminding them of their abilities and distancing them from their disabilities," said PVA National President Kenneth C. Huber. A long-time advocate of wheelchair sports, Huber has participated in the games for the past 10 years.

In this year's events, veterans will go for the gold in track and field, swimming, basketball, weight lifting, softball, airguns, quad rugby, billiards, bowling, table tennis, archery and wheelchair slalom. The 18th National Veterans Wheelchair Games will be kicked off July 7 by the 1998 Disabled Sports, Recreation and Fitness Expo -- one of the nation's largest gatherings of suppliers of products or services related to the health, well-being, sports and recreational needs of individuals with disabilities.

In conjunction with the games, organizers have launched a postcard campaign entitled Wishing You All the Best as You Go for the Gold in Pittsburgh.

"Through the campaign, we hope to generate thousands of postcards of support for the veterans and vividly display the nation's gratitude for their time and service in the military," said Huber.

All cards received by June 30 will be posted at the 1998 Disabled Sports, Recreation and Fitness Expo. Postcards should be sent to:

18th National Veterans Wheelchair Games
Paralyzed Veterans of America
801 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006

Most National Veterans Wheelchair Games events and activities will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and Baldwin High School.

VA is a recognized leader in rehabilitation, with recreational therapy programs at each of its 173 medical centers.

PVA, a 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.

Back to Disability in the News Archives.

Browse the Browse News Room.