The 42nd National Veterans Wheelchair Games is coming to the Pacific Northwest this summer! This year’s edition of the Games will be held in Portland, Ore. from July 4-9, 2023. The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is open to the public this year. VA staff interested in volunteering during regular tour-of-duty must reach out to supervisor for guidance and approval. Volunteer registration has opened to the general public online at https://42wheelchairgames.my-trs.com/. Regular exercise – including training for and participating in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games – can help veterans with disabilities: • Maintain body weight; • Combat chronic health conditions such as obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes; • Gain energy; • Sleep better; • Improve mood and self-esteem; • Reduce anxiety and depression; • Enjoy new experiences and new friendships; • Counter the stigma of disability; • Increase their likelihood of employment, with less absenteeism and more productivity. The goal of the event is for veterans with disabilities to feel empowered to apply what they learn at the Wheelchair Games to their daily lives. The experience can also help them meet therapist goals such as managing self-care while traveling, navigating new environments, and improving self-confidence. Volunteer registration is open and any inquiries regarding volunteer work can be addressed to Jeff McLeer at NVWGvolunteers@va.gov. To learn more about the Mission & History of the Games, visit https://wheelchairgames.org/about/mission-history/. The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is co-presented each year by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America. Both organizations offer programs that help veterans with disabilities increase their independence, health, and quality of life through wheelchair sports and recreation. Veterans are often first exposed to adaptive sports through their local VA Medical Center or PVA Chapter.
