Vet News: Veterans Go for Gold in Wheelchair Games

By Courtney Hickson
Army News Service

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2004 -- One Iraqi Freedom veteran who lost the use of his legs when his Humvee was sideswiped in Iraqi, has taken home a gold metal at the 24th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, in St Louis, Mo.

Sgt. Johnnie Williams won the gold metal in weightlifting and is also competing in air gun shooting, the discus, shot put and javelin, all field events.

Williams had only been in Iraq for four months when he was injured in May of 2003. He is currently undergoing spinal cord therapy and rehabilitation at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tampa, Fla., his hometown.

"Live life to the fullest because you never know if you’ll live to see tomorrow," he said.

Williams started his Army service in June of 2001 when he went to basic training Fort Benning, Ga., and was stationed at Fort Gordon, Ga., where he received training in satellite communications.

These multi-sport games offer Veterans of all ages a chance to be athletic while wheelchair-bound. Some of the competitive events include swimming, weightlifting, archery, air guns, track and field, basketball, softball and many others. While the athletes vary in age and skill level they compete against those who have similar athletic skills, competitive experience or same age.

More than 500 Veterans become involved in the games each year, making it one of the largest wheelchair sport events in the world. Department of Veteran Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America sponsor the games, with support from other civil organizations. The games are open to all military Veterans who are wheelchair bound and use their chairs for sports competition. For some of the injured Veterans, the games offer them their first experience to wheelchair athletics.

Williams, who is participating in his first games, said he found out about the Games through another event he attended and his PVA representative. Williams received funding from the hospital in Tampa so he could attend the games.

Those participating in the games range the spectrum of age and military service. Some participants are recently retired from active duty while others enlisted in the 1960s.

"I’ve been talking to the other vets who have been in a wheelchair and gaining experience from them," Williams said.

As an athlete before his accident, he wanted to continue to be involved in athletics and the Games have provided him with that opportunity. Before his accident he was active in football, ran track and lifted weights.

"It has been lots of fun, watching events, seeing the people and mingling with them," Williams said.

SOURCE: VNIS