On July 31, the Orlando VA Medical Center hosted handcycling for the 38th National Veterans Wheelchair Games. The event began at 7:30 a.m as 73 veterans raced around a 10K course constructed around the VA.
Participants ranged from first-timers to seasoned athletes. Riders raced at the same time, but everyone was broken up into four divisions: novice, open, masters and seniors. They were also broken up into classes and teams. Since some veterans could not complete the full 10K (which was two laps around the VA), a few did a 5K that was one lap around. Sean E. Gibbs from the Central Florida Team placed first in the class “II, III,” and “open” division. His time was 18:02.
Todd Kemery, a former Marine, says this is his 16th time competing in the games and that he is no stranger to handcycling. He broke his neck 35 years ago and has been in a wheelchair since. “I started coming to the wheelchair games in 2001 in New York City … as far as my emotional stage and physical stage, it’s good for me,” says Kemery.
This was the first time in history the games were held in Orlando, and consequently, the first time Lake Nona hosted a NVWG event. Natasha Slay, who is an employee at the Lowe’s in Lake Nona, says she and a few other co-workers came as volunteers to help out with handcycling. “It was awesome. I was blown away. Just seeing them out there doing things. We’ve been out here since 5 a.m. This won’t be my last one … very big personalities out here, too. I enjoy cheering them on as they come through,” commented Slay.
The full length of the games lasted from July 30 through Aug. 4 and was centered at the Orange County Convention Center. Veterans from all over the nation came to participate and compete in other sports such as archery, bowling, powerlifting, softball and boccia.
The Convention Center held the opening ceremony on July 30, and a game of basketball was used as an exhibition match to kick off the games. Jimmy Green, a 49-year-old Army veteran who was in the exhibition, said this was his 23rd games in a row. Becoming involved in these games changed his life. According to Green, he was very depressed and chose not to associate much in social activities after his injury that led to him being a paraplegic. However, after he was invited to participate, his life did a full 180. Since competing, he’s been married and now has two children who have graduated college. After being surrounded by other disabled veterans, he realized there were a lot of them out there who had it worse than he did, yet they still seemed to enjoy playing the sports. “I just found the sports that I was good at and I jumped on them. I’ve learned a lot from these guys and grew up with these games, and now I come because remembering how that felt is a great thing and also I get to see new injuries [new participants], who get that feeling that I had and I know that feeling and I like to see it,” says Green as he reminisces on how engaging in the games impacted his life.
Legendary quarterback Brett Favre spoke at the opening ceremony, and we were lucky enough to get an interview with him. In regards to the games in general, Favre stated, “I say this in previous interviews, it’s very humbling, very rewarding, and it kind of makes you step back.” When asked to comment on Lake Nona’s involvement in helping out with handcycling, he simply said, “Kudos to the community, you’re doing a really good thing.”
More results for handcycling along with all the other events can be found on the NVWG app. Type in “Natl Veteran Wheelchair Games.” The app is available on all smart devices.
