The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Veterans Wheelchair Games is the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports event for Veterans. For 41 years, the Wheelchair Games has traveled from city to city across the U.S. where paralyzed Veterans compete in a number of sport competitions.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Veterans Wheelchair Games is the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports event for Veterans.
This year, TriWest Healthcare Alliance (TriWest) was proud to have the Wheelchair Games near its hometown in Tempe, AZ. TriWest was a primary sponsor and had more than 30 Phoenix-based employees volunteer for the bowling venue where more than 200 Veteran athletes competed over two days.
The weeklong event, co-presented by VA and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, includes competition in a wide variety of sports. Competitors come from nearly every generation of Veterans. From newly injured first-time competitors to Paralympic athletes, each Veteran brings a unique story demonstrating the heart and passion of our nation’s heroes.
“I really enjoyed seeing the variety of Veteran experiences,” said Dr. James Robbins, TriWest Chief Medical Officer. “Some of the participants seemed relatively inexperienced, but enjoyed getting to do something new and different. Others, who clearly had bowled many times in the past, also enjoyed the chance to compete against others.”
Dr. Robbins attended the Wheelchair Games for the first time this year and enjoyed volunteering to spend time with the Veterans at the bowling venue. Angela Rickey, TriWest Provider Relations and Education Director, also attended the event for her first time. After hearing great things about past Wheelchair Games, she was excited to have the opportunity to volunteer.
“In my work, I don’t have immediate opportunities to work directly with Veterans,” said Rickey. “I was so thankful TriWest was sponsoring the event and organizing this support. I enjoyed interacting with this group of Veterans that have overcome so much, and watching their enthusiasm and achievement.”
TriWest has been a long time supporter of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and was thrilled to be out in the community serving Veterans once again after years of social distancing due to the pandemic.
To learn more about adaptive sports and the competitive spirit alive at the Games, visit the official website for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.