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Show mirtfiiYWriTii 5 Hilltop July 20, 2000 Games challenge wheelchair veterans s SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) In patriotic style, Americas birthday marked the beginning of the 20th National Veterans Wheelchair Games held here July Nearly 600 veterans from all over the nation 74 4-- 8. were Air Force vets competed in the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the United States. The Wheelchair Games is a multi-evesports and rehabilitation program for veterans who use wheelchairs due to spinal cord injuries, amputations or certain neunt rological problems. TTie event is sponsored by the Depart- ment of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. With all the pain Ive experienced from my injury, I really had to dig deep inside myself to get out there and try wheelchair sports, said Ginger Rhodes, a novice participant who won six gold medals at the games. But I did it I tried it, and it feels greatI This training and competition gives me a reason to hurt! Competing in wheelchair sports has given me the most freedom since these wheels went under me. Air Force veteran Rhodes, 42, a paraplegic, has been confined to a wheelchair since a slip on ice while stationed in Alaska started a downward spiral of lower back ' problems. The fall left her with great pain, depression and life in a wheelchair. - The Games are more than an athletic experience, they are a life experience. They form a platform whereby a veteran can jump into a world of change and adventure, and be a part of it, said Tom Brown, national director of the NVWG, and chief of recreation therapy service for the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. The games competitive events list sounds like it came straight from the Olympics: weightlifting, track and field, archery, airguns, basketball, softball, rugby, bowling, table tennis, swimming, wheelchair slalom, a wheelchair road race. Other field events rally, and a included the club throw, shot-pu- t, discus, and javelin. Athletes competed in events against others with similar athletic ability, competitive experience or age, and gender. Exhibition events also occurred, including cycling on a three-wheelemulti-speed bike, and a Super G wheelchair slalom event that looked like a giant obstacle course. d, d, hand-powere- The National Veterans Wheelchair Games provide both an introductory, and competitive experience for veterans with permanent physical disabilities, Brown said. For the newly disabled veteran, the games can open the door to newfound freedoms and opportunities. For the returning athlete, the games provide a quality athletic experience, as well as a chance to influence those who are starting out. Healthcare is continually chang ing, and the VA continues to lead with new and innovative programs. , Event sponsors are committed to improving the quality of life for veterans with disabilities, and to fostering better health through sports competition. About d of the competitorathletes were novices who had never before participated in any type of organized wheelchair sports competition. After watching other wheelchair athletes and seeing the amazing things they can do even people who have injuries far worse than mine I felt that my injury was really minimal and realized that I can do this too! Rhodes one-thir- said. Miss America 2000 Heather French, the daughter of a disabled Vietnam veteran, presented medals to winners and addressed participants during the closing ceremony July 8. . The origin of the games has ties back to the World War II aftermath, when young disabled veterans began playing wheelchair basketball in VA hospitals. Interest soon spread to other sports such as track and field, bowling, swimming and archery. In 1980, the VA established a recreation therapy service, in which therapists use wheelchair sports as a therthe International Year of apeutic tool. Then in 1981 Disabled Persons the VA Medical Center in Richmond, Va., put together the first NVWG. That year, 74 competitors from 14 states competed. 's v , SPORTS BRIEFS A Buzz visiting Commissary Saturday Salt Lake. Buzz players Mario Valdez and John Barnes will sign 'autographs and hand out free game tickets in the Hill Commissary Saturday. The players will appear on behalf of the Pillsbury Company from 11 a.m.-- l p.m. Buzzy, the Salt Lake Buzz mascot, and the Pillsbury Doughboy will also entertain patrons and hand out Doughboy Baseballs to the first 100 children age 1 all-st- return at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 13. The cost is $74 for two days of ATV riding and a night of camping. The cost includes transportation, ATV riding, helmets, gas and oil, campground, trip leader, one dinner, one lunch and one breakfast.. For more information call Ext. or drop by Bldg. 524 game. ar Archery Club holding open shoot The Hill Archery Club will hold open shoot hours on Tuesdays and Thurs-- ' 22, from days, July p.m. The fee is $3 for Rod and Gun Club members or $6 for All base employees are invited to partic-- 1 ipate and tune-u- p prior to the archery hunts. For more details, call Luke Top, per at Ext- 7:9617 or 25-Au- g. 5-- non-member- 9 in 13 categories. Admission is free to spectators. For more details, call Skills or Development at Ext. 76 Flyfishing classes set Outdoor Recreation is sponsoring fly fishing classes in August and September at the Log Cabin, Bldg. 804. Classes are held Wednesdays from 25 to sign up. s. Park hosts rod run The 12th annual Hill AFB Rod Run v will be held Aug. 13 from 10 a.m.-- 4 p.m. and under. Additionally,; the first in Centennial Park. 100 commissary patrons in line will . is available at the Skills Development ; ATV a receive ticket voucher good Jor any. .Center, Bldg. 534. The cost is $15 before trip planned ' Buzz Outdoor ATV Recreation an is the J planning 2Q00season:' game during :Augll,jor.$2ttthe dayof the show. and Both Valdez and Barnes have been Trip to the.Uinta Mountains Aug, Registration fee includes a 9:30 leave at The a.mi dash plaque. Awards will be presented: chosen for the Pacific Coast League" tripwill 14 - 825-858- 7. Pre-registrati- 11-1- 3. Aug.-Han- y GM t T-sh- irt d p.m. on Aug. 2, 9, 16 and 23, and Sept. 6, 13, 20 and 27. Two classes will be held at a local river to test your skills. The cost is $20 per person, and 6-- 8 class size is limited to 8-1- 6. 25 Brigham sAforoa co.? SALESJfc SERVICE) 723-525- 5 399-562- 1 O plymoulfi Jeep CU'III tTfo (Vj) 1234 No. Main, Layton 7 Chrysler V? Plymouth Dodge JeepEagle 723-345- 6 j 2810 WASHINGTON ! Dodge BLVD. 1611,11. J 544-211- 2 -- iHHrHtK 5 IF ft sera Jeep j - " THE f jars The Centerville -'- - GOLDEN RULE DEALER LJf-l- f " Lc.I GEO 3535 Wall Ave. 394-261- V .w NEW A! 17T7 Can More Americans Trust .. nrWl DAEWOO 1 3535 Wall Ave. 7 USED CREDIT HOTLINE 645 N. MAIN 1 THE GOLDEN RULE DEALER Genuine Chevrolet 544-12- Layton, Utah 84041 CHEVROLET www.barberbrothers.com - 1 770-320- 1 irtSwlXFwLi t isuHTl DodqeTrucks 1888 North Main Street 829-324- 0 aBUIJ' 394-884- 4 308 E. 125 N., Morgan 544-580- JUJJ u. 647 S. Main, Brigham From Ogden 473-194- 4 HINCKLEY DODGE Farmington people. To register, or for more details, age ' call Ext. chkku-- -- 15 Participants must be age 8 or older, and adults must accompany students 394-261- 1 LAYTON TOYOTA 777 W. LINCOLN-MERCUR- Y Riverdale Rd., Riverdale 394-570- 1 jmfcwjwj |