Phoenix va participates in 2024 wheelchair games | va phoenix health care | veterans affairs

Four Phoenix VA Veterans joined more than 500 Veterans representing over 90 VA facilities at the 2024 National Veterans Wheelchair Games in New Orleans, July 25-30. A hundred and fifty-nine

novices, a record-breaking recording for participation in the games was also noted. “[The event] was amazing," said Jerry Galloway, U.S. Marine Veteran. "It helped me to believe in

myself. I want to do more. My coaches, Josh got me started and Michelle picked up the ball and ran with it, to help me get stronger and to help me believe in myself. This week has been

amazing. [I met] military personnel from all over the world. I made new friendships and got to cheer our team on. This gives me the strength to keep pushing.” The Wheelchair Games are the

world’s largest annual wheelchair rehabilitation sports event solely for military Veterans living with disabilities. Phoenix VA Veterans participated in a wide array of games and brought

home six medals in the following games: air rifle metaling, archery, bowling, motor slalom, javelin, and table tennis. “Every Veteran that attended participated in air guns, which has been

our most sought-after program at the Phoenix VA, " said May Michelle, lead recreation therapist for the Phoenix VA. "We would love to have the ability to expand it.”  While Phoenix

VA Veterans enjoyed participating in the friendly competitions, one Veteran had this to say, “forget the metals, I struck oil in friendships and memories,” said James Zimmerman, U.S. Marine

Veteran. Gerald Newport, another U.S. Marine Veteran commended the preparation the Phoenix VA adaptive sports program had on his success in participation. “Without the adaptive sports

program, the preparation for the wheelchair games would be extremely difficult. It is a necessary component to be able to compete at these national Veterans games,” said Newport. “The

adaptive sports program gives me, and so many others self-motivation," continued Newport. "The camaraderie, the fight to the end, and being with each other while meeting new

brothers and sisters as well as your coaches cheering you on, there’s no other arena like it, it gives you self-motivation. It makes you want to work hard when you're not here so that

you can have the strength when you do get here.” Additional games Veterans could participate in included: boccia; nine ball; wheelchair basketball, soccer, and rugby; air pistol; pickleball;

bowling; swimming; cycling; esports; discus; shot put; javelin; weight lifting; motor rally; manual and power slalom; and many more. To become part of the Phoenix AZ team for the 2025

Wheelchair Games, Veterans would need medical clearance from their primary care doctor and an outpatient recreation therapy adaptive sports consult placed.