30th National Veterans Wheelchair Games

Denver, Colorado
July 4-9, 2010

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games are presented each year by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans), with additional support from numerous corporate and community sponsors.

VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System and the Mountain States PVA Chapter are hosting the 30th National Veterans Wheelchair Games. The events take place in and around the Denver area, July 4-9, 2010.

Events
At the Games, veterans compete in:

9-Ball Air Guns Archery Basketball Bowling Handcycling Motorized Wheelchair Rally Power Soccer Quad Rugby

Slalom Softball Swimming Table Tennis Track & Field Trapshooting Weightlifting

Exhibition Event
Kayaking

Competition/Venues
Many of the 2010 events will be held at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver, as well as other local venues including Brunswick Zone, Invesco Field, Hyatt Hotel, Cherry Creek Park, Confluence Park, Dick's Sporting Goods Park-Denver, APEX Myers Pool City Park, East High School.

Eligibility
The Games are a multi-event sports and rehabilitation program open to U.S. military service veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility impairments.

Volunteers
To accommodate the needs of the athletes, more than 2,000 local volunteers are required to assist with all aspects of the Games, from helping with transportation, to event set-up, water distribution, assistance with meals, and numerous other activities that will help guarantee a successful event. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Susan Miller (719.553.1032, Susan.Miller@va.gov) or Michelle Kirk (303.399.8020 ext. 5849, Michelle.Kirk@va.gov).

Fundraising
To make this event happen, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the local hosts are hoping to raise substantial monetary donations to offset the cost of the Games and to treat our nation’s wheelchair veterans to a quality week in Denver, CO.  If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting, please contact Jack Walton at (800) 424-8200, ext 674 or JackW@pva.org.

Benefits to the mind
The purpose of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games is to provide veterans with physical disabilities an introductory experience to a variety of wheelchair sports, and expose them to the numerous organized wheelchair sports and recreation activities available nationwide.  In doing so, the Games serve to encourage veterans to become aware of their abilities and potential while promoting a spirit of healthy activity and camaraderie.

Benefits to the body
The National Veterans Wheelchair Games clearly demonstrate the therapeutic value of sports and competition.  As presenters of the event, VA and Paralyzed Veterans are committed to improving the quality of life for veterans with disabilities and fostering better health through sports competition.  While past Games have produced a number of national and world-class champions, the event also provides opportunities for newly injured veterans to gain sports skills and be exposed to other athletes who use wheelchairs.

Benefits to the spirit
Since the annual Games began in 1981, thousands of disabled veterans have enjoyed the health benefits provided by sports participation and have revitalized the spirit of competition within themselves.

Questions
If you have questions regarding Parlayzed Veterans of America's involvement in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games contact Andy Krieger at (800) 424-8200, ext 757 or andyk@pva.org.