This year’s National Veterans Wheelchair Games look a little different
More than 300 disabled veterans from across the country would’ve been competing at the 40th Annual National Wheelchair Veterans Games (NVWG) this week in Portland, Ore., if not for the COVID-19 pandemic.
But, like true warriors, they know that the mission doesn’t always go to plan, and they’re forced to adapt, overcome and improvise a new mission.
Thanks to the efforts of Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), the Games will go on in a virtual format called, NVWG at Home, (NVWGatHome).
The NVWGatHome opening ceremony is set for July 12, 2020, and while orientation and practice webinars have been taking place since early June, the NVWGatHome competition is set to kick off with the Cascade Cup preliminaries.
Here’s a full schedule of NVWGatHome events. Those interested in seeing the games can visit PVA’s Facebook page at ParalyzedVeterans or the VA’s Facebook page at Sports4Vets.
| Day | Time | Event | Event Official |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday - July 12 | 5:00pm (EST) | Opening Ceremony | |
| Monday - July 13 | 12:00pm (EST) | Outdoor Adventure Programs as Health Health Care: Implications for People Living with MS | Tracy Herring, PhD, Lindsey Knowles, PhD and kevin Alschuler, PhD |
| 3:00pm (EST) | Cascade Cup - Preliminary | ||
| Tuesday - July 14 | 12:00pm (EST) | Introduction of Adaptive Sports in a Seated Position to Veterans with Vision Loss | Rachel Smith, CTRS, Janessa Baccay, MA, COMS |
| 1:00pm (EST) | E-Sports - Rocket League Preliminary | ||
| 5:00pm (EST) | Disc Golf | ||
| Wednesday July 15 | 12:00pm (EST) | Concussion Management Program Baseline Database Initiative in W/C Athletes | Dr. Ken Lee, Dr. Michael Uihlen and Dr. Michael Harper |
| 12:00pm (EST) | Postal Air Rifle | ||
| 5:00pm (EST) | Team Challenge | ||
| Thursday - July 16 | 1:00pm (EST) | Cascade Cup - Finals | |
| E-Sports - Rocket League Finals | |||
| Friday - July 17 | 12:00pm (EST) | NVWGatHome Awards Ceremonies | |
| 3:00pm (EST) | NVWGatHome 5K Cycle, Walk or Roll |
