The 1998 National Veterans Wheelchair Games--'Triumph at Three Rivers'--were about much more than just winning medals.
Athlete: 'One who takes part in competitive sports and possesses the natural prerequisites for sports competition such as strength, agility, and endurance.' The dictionary's definition only begins to describe what makes an athlete. To get a true understanding, you have to add determination, courage, and dedication.
Through sports, athletes strive to reach a level of exuberance that cannot be explained in words--a high that can only be described by gestures and emotions. A 'high five,' the traditional pat on the back, and encouraging words are just a few ways in which athletes show enthusiasm. The 18th National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG) participants were no exception.
Willingness to train is also a key ingredient. Preparation should be consistent and enjoyable, because competition is the ultimate high. Kater W. Comwell, a Vietnam veteran from Charlotte, N.C., competed in softball, weightlifting, and basketball.
'I train four times per week, two and a half hours a day,' he says. He easily lifted 425 pounds on his first attempt, then proceeded to raise 450. His 460pound lift received a huge ovation and won the gold medal in the masters 100+ kilogram division.
Joe Wittkamp (Jackson, Ohio) also won a gold medal in his weightlifting class when he hefted 335 pounds. 'I love to train because it makes me feel good, keeps me healthy, and prepares me for the competition,' he says.
Charles Allen, of Dallas, says that while winning is nice, it isn't everything and he 'would be an athlete forever.'
By any definition, at week's end, everyone knew the real athletes were all the NVWG participants.
COMMITMENT
A multi-event sports and rehab program for military service veterans using wheelchairs for competition due to spinal-cord injuries, amputations, or certain neurological problems, NVWG is the largest annual wheelchair-sports event in the United States. This year's Games, held July 7-11 in Pittsburgh, attracted participants from Puerto Rico and Great Britain as well as from all over the U.S. The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System hosted the Games. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)--along with financial assistance from corporate, civic, and veterans service organizations--sponsor the event.
NVWG is committed to improving the quality of life for veterans with disabilities and to fostering better health through sports competition. Although past Games have produced a number of national and world-class champions, NVWG also provides opportunities for newly disabled individuals to gain sports skills and exposure to other wheelchair athletes and competitors.
Competitive events included swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, track and field, archery, basketball, softball, rugby, bowling, wheelchair slalom, and a 5-kilometer road race. Track competition featured the 100-, 200-, 400-, 800-, 1,500-, and 5,000meter races. In field, athletes tried club throw, shot put, discus, and javelin. Exhibitions were tennis and handcycling. This year, participants and spectators also enjoyed equestrian demonstrations.
Athletes competed against others with similar abilities, competitive experience, or age. Most events and activities took place at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and area high schools.
THE GAMES BEGIN
The ceremonial victory torch flickered into a blaze, and the 18th National Veterans Wheelchair Games got under way. Former Pittsburgh Steeler Andy Russell got the ball rolling as master of ceremonies in the packed David L. Lawrence Convention Center, in the heart of Pittsburgh. Close to 600 athletes from 48 states, Puerto Rico, and Great Britain paraded in with their coaches and attendants.
After speeches, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Athletes Oath, the music blared, the crowd cheered, and the veterans rolled on to competition venues in pursuit of the mighty gold in the City of Champions.
EVOLUTION
Many wheelchair sports had their beginnings after World War II, when young veterans began playing basketball in VA hospitals throughout the United States. Interest soon spread to track and field, bowling, swimming, and archery and spawned the formation of several associations devoted to new and innovative wheelchair sports.
While the participation of veterans with disabilities continued to flourish, it was not until 1980 that VA's efforts brought about an enhanced awareness of the rehabilitative value of wheelchair athletics. VA established a Recreation Therapy Service, in which therapists use wheelchair sports as a treatment tool. The first NVWG took place in 1981 at the Richmond VAMC. That year, 74 competitors from 14 states gathered to participate in sports ranging from table tennis and billiards to swimming and weightlifting. The first Games established an enduring trait characterizing the event ever since: a strong sense of camaraderie and common identity among all athletes.
By 1985, the growing size, complexity, and resources needed for the Games presented a daunting challenge to the VAMCs wanting to host the program. Recognizing that most of the athletes were paralyzed veterans, PVA offered to cosponsor. To help obtain resources needed to host a national event, PVA recruited corporations to help support the Games. Since then, PVA's corporate sponsor program has aided event growth, in the number of athletes as well as the variety of sports offered.
In 1987, twelve British military veterans were invited to the Games. A team from that country has come to the event every year since then. After that first year, the British athletes formed a special disabled-sports group--the British Ex-Servicemen's Wheelchair Sports Association-which has extended the NVWG philosophy to the rest of the world.
FINDING A FAMILY
Able-bodied people often wonder how they would handle a disabling injury or condition. This year, 152 of the 595 Games registrants competed for the first time. Perhaps the most inspiring NVWG participants are those who not only are newly injured but also go on to help others with disabilities. The following two novices at this year's Games fit in this category.
In 1992, Lisa McCormick, of Arlington, Tex., became a C5-6 quad in an automobile accident. At the Dallas VAMC Spinal Cord Unit she was known as the 'Aqua Lady.' A water-aerobics instructor before her injury, McCormick missed the water.
In March 1998, just four months before the Games, she told her rec therapist she wanted to get into a pool. 'Once she was in the pool, she could swim like a fish,' says therapist Kim Canova-Romans. Swimming allows McCormick to participate in a sport she enjoyed before injury; it also builds up her strength.
Newly injured veterans often are nervous about getting in the pool. 'They think they can't do it,' says occupational therapist Dave Wilkerson, 'until they watch Lisa. She's a great role model.'
Bill Hannigan, of Baltimore, N.Y., was another novice. He competed in five events: air rifle, nine-ball, shot put, javelin, and discus. A member of the Eastern PVA team, Hannigan is the chapter's hospital liaison. He worked in construction and was a weight trainer until a motorcycle accident three years ago.
Hannigan wasn't sure he wanted to work in a VA medical facility. 'I was scared of VA doctors from my experience in the army,' he says, 'but then I...got the job, became involved with VA, and learned the system. That's where I learned about the Vet Games.'
And what about the Games experience? 'You can't meet anybody better than this. The people are so hospitable and they work well with you,' Hannigan says. 'Everybody is outgoing and you have a lot of fun. It's like having a big family. I've seen a lot of people I know from the Winter Sports Clinic in Colorado. The camaraderie is there, and it's really great.'
BACK IN THE SADDLE
Twelve veterans participated in the equestrian exhibition. While riding techniques varied, each person shared the thrill of being on horseback.
'I'm hooked!' said Lueretha Dalton, of Hampton, Va. 'I was always afraid of horses. Now I would really love to get a horse. I wish we could do this event everywhere!'
Patty Flynn, of Pensacola, Fla., rode horses frequently as a child. `I've only ridden once in the 20 years since I was injured. I saw the equestrian booth at the Expo on Tuesday and thought, How can I do this? I visited the booth about four times and finally got registered. At first, riding was kind of scary; it was hard to balance. But once I rode around the stable the first time, I said, `Okay, I can do this!''
Riding has many benefits. In addition to freedom of mobility, a rider on a walking horse experiences the same hip and pelvis muscle movement used in human walking.
ESSENTIAL COMPONENT
An estimated 3,000 volunteers donated time during this NVWG. Their assistance was crucial for all facets, from organizing the opening and medal ceremonies to picking up arrows and javelins at field events and helping at the bowling lanes.
At the convention center, volunteers wearing yellow, blue, and white shirts mingled among the veterans. Among them was Dorothy Gray, a U.S. Postal Service employee who helped with the opening ceremony.
'I'm doing this so I can help somebody else,' she said. 'It is not every day that you get a chance to help out.'
CLOSING CEREMONIES
Acting as master of ceremonies and making opening remarks was WTAE Radio's Bill Hillgrove, 'Voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers' and announcer for the University of Pittsburgh. The 78th Penn. Regiment, 9th Battalion, Westmoreland County, New Jersey, Volunteers--a group of Civil War re-enactors--presented the colors. The audience heard welcomes by Thomas A. Cappello, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System director; Lawrence A. Biro, VA Stars and Stripes Healthcare Network director; and Ed 'Frenchy' DesLauriers, Keystone PVA president.
A highlight of each NVWG Closing Ceremonies is the presentation of the Spirit of the Games Award, sponsored by Invacare. Given every year since 1987, the recognition goes to the person who, according to his or her peers, best exemplifies athletic excellence, sportsmanship, and good character. This year's recipient was Gil Garcia (San Antonio), a gold-medal winner in weightlifting and discus and who took home silver in nine-ball and javelin. The Texas Blasters team member also medaled in quad rugby.
The audience viewed Steve Wiggins's excellent videotape of this year's Games. Following these entertaining and inspirational highlights, ticket holders went to the closing banquet. But even before these closing activities came the traditional passing of the torch.
DOIN' IT BETTER
As the 18th NVWG wound down, Puerto Rico was gearing up to host next year's event. During Closing Ceremonies, Luis Clemente, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, emerged dressed in his dad's 1970s-era Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. To the stirring and familiar notes of 'Chariots of Fire,' he carried the torch, which Keystone PVA athletes in turn handed to Puerto Rico's local organizing team.
More than 20 representatives from the island came to Pittsburgh to experience the Games firsthand. VA employees as well as high-ranking public officials tried to learn all aspects and observe every detail so that next year's NVWG lives up to a popular Puerto Rican saying: 'Puerto Rico does it better!'
This beautiful Caribbean island is no stranger to wheelchair sports. In 1975, six years before NVWG began, Puerto Rico's VAMC organized a local wheelchair-sports competition. Nine years later, Puerto Rican athletes joined others at Brockton, Mass., for the fourth annual NVWG and have participated ever since.
Next year's Games will emphasize water sports. The local nautical club has pledged 30 yachts so everyone interested can enjoy deep-sea fishing. Exhibition sports will include rafting, kayaking, scuba diving, and tennis. Music, native food, and entertainment will complement every competition.
'We want everyone who comes here to feel at home,' says site coordinator Edgar Diaz. 'This is going to be our welcoming message: `We are glad you're here, and we will take good care of you!''
Start making plans for next year. Come to Puerto Rico and enjoy the beach at Luquillo, visit the historic sites of Old San Juan, and take in the beauty of Guaynabo y bayamon. Nothing beats the beaches, sand, music, and fun--an entire island committed to an event dear to its heart.
Nos vemos en Puerto Rico--we'll see you in Puerto Rico!
Earl Johnson, Laura Bishop, Ivonne Chaustre, and Ann Sunderlin contributed to this article. For additional coverage, see Reasons & Remarks, this issue.
RELATED ARTICLE: 18TH NATIONAL VETERANS WHEELCHAIR GAMES
Statistics on Athletes(*)
* 183 veterans (30%) saw combat; of these, 53 were combat wounded. * Wars: Vietnam 150 World War II 18 Other 7 Korea 20 Gulf War 24 * Disabilities: Paraplegia 247 Amputation 55 Quadriplegia 188 Multiple sclerosis 36 Brain injuries & other conditions 34 * Military service: U.S. Army 297 U.S. Navy 134 U.S. Marine Corps 74 U.S. Coast Guard / National Guard 9
(*) as of July 1
NATIONAL VETERANS WHEELCHAIR GAMES: HOW THEY'VE GROWN!
Year Location Participants 1981 Richmond 74 1982 Milwaukee 137 1983 Long Beach, Calif. 178 1984 Brockton, Mass. 272 1985 College Park, Md. 280 1986 Dallas 360 1987 Ann Arbor, Mich. 389 1988 San Antonio 460 1989 Long Beach, Calif. 397 1990 New Orleans 550 1991 Miami, Fla. 487 1992 Dayton 492 1993 San Antonio 454 1994 Kansas City, Mo. 473 1995 Atlanta 519 1996 Seattle 487 1997 San Diego 577 1998 Pittsburgh 595 18TH NVWG SPONSORS National Host Sponsor Invacare Corporation's Action Brand County of Allegheny Host Chapter Keystone PVA National Sponsors AGFA/Photographics Supply, Inc. David & Rita Budin Johnson & Johnson Milken Family Foundation NAYA Water The UPS Foundation Ricon Corporation and Concord IROHO, Inc., and CROWN Elevator THERAPEUTICS[R], Inc. Media Sponsors PN/Paraplegia News SPORTS 'N SPOKES Gold Medal Sponsors AT&T Wireless Services Beverly Enterprises Digital Equipment Corporation Ladies Auxiliary VFW Sport Court University of Pittsburgh VIVUS, Inc. Silver Medal Sponsors Greenapple Barter Services Polaroid Bronze Medal Sponsors 3M American Wheelchair Veterans Association Astra Merck Athena Neurosciences Inc. Burger King/Veterans Canteen Coors Brewing Company Services Hill-Rom Hoechst Marion Roussel Lucent Technologies NationsBank Rochester Medical Pittsburgh Professional Fire Fighters Local No. 1 IAFF Teva Marion Partners UPMC Health System The USAA Foundation, A Charitable Trust US Airways Xerox Foundation
