27
th National Veterans
Wheelchair Games in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
•
Presenters – The National Veterans Wheelchair Games are presented each year
by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Paralyzed Veterans of America
(PVA), with additional support from numerous corporate and community sponsors.
•
Hosts – The Milwaukee VA Medical Center and the Wisconsin Chapter of PVA
are hosting the 2007 National Veterans Wheelchair Games. The events take place in
and around the Milwaukee area, June 19-23, 2007.
•
Welcome to Milwaukee – We are honored to support and welcome more than
500 veterans with disabilities from across the United States, Puerto Rico and Great
Britain to our city, to compete in the 27
th National Veterans Wheelchair Games – the
largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world!
•
Site Selection – Each year, VA and PVA jointly select the site for the National
Veterans Wheelchair Games, based on availability of sports venues, accessibility of
the city and local interest. At each host site, a local organizing committee works
closely with national VA and PVA officials to ensure the success of the Games. As a
premiere sports city, excellent accommodations and numerous areas of visitor
interest, the athletes are looking forward to experiencing a week of Milwaukee’s finest.
•
Coordinator – Brian Walker is the Local Coordinator for this event. He can be
reached at (414) 389-4009, or by e-mail at
brian.walker@va.gov.
•
Competition/Venues – Many of the 2007 events will be held at the Midwest
Airlines Convention Center in downtown Milwaukee, as well as other local venues
including Veterans Park, Uihlein Soccer Park, Whitnall Park, Schroeder YMCA, AMF
Bowlero Bowling Center, the VA Medical Center and the Milwaukee County Zoo. At
the Games, veterans compete in:
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Track (100-3000 meters)
•
Field (discus, shot-put,
javelin, club)
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Swimming
•
Basketball
•
Weightlifting
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Softball
•
Air Guns
•
Quad Rugby
•
Bowling
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9-Ball
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Table Tennis
•
Archery
•
Power Soccer
•
Wheelchair Slalom
(obstacle course)
•
Handcycling
•
Motorized
Wheelchair Rally
•
Exhibition events
•
Eligibility – The Games are a multi-event sports and rehabilitation program open to
military service veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord
injuries, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility impairments.
June 19–23, 2007
•
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 call Denise Jashinsky at (414) 389-3999, fax number
is (414)-389-3950 or e-mail
denise.jashinsky@va.gov.
•
Fundraising – To make this event happen, the local hosts are hoping to raise
substantial monetary donations to offset the cost of the Games and to treat our
nation’s wheelchair athletes to a quality week in Milwaukee.
•
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 PVA 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 wheelchair athletes.
•
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.
For more information about the National Veterans Wheelchair Games,
visit the event web site at
www.wheelchairgames.org.
Point of Contact
:
Brian Walker
Local Coordinator,
27
th National Veterans Wheelchair Games VA Medical Center
5000 West National Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53295
Phone (414) 389-4009 Cell (414) 234-7354
E-mail: brian.walker@va.gov
Fax (414) 389-4219