National Veteran Wheelchair Games 2002

(Please Allow Sufficient Time for Proper Downloading of this 18-page document.)

by Julia Hollenbeck
© 2002

	Web www.wheelmeon.org

Note: Wheel Me On... does not warrant Google Sponsor ads will be in ADA compliance or support web page content.

It opened with the city of New York carrying the United States Flag of America representing the catastrophic event of the collapse of the world trade centers. By one's, two's, and sometime three's, it took nearly an hour for over 545 American Veterans to roll out into the convention center's banquet room for the opening ceremonies of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games on July 9th, 2002.

An Army Color Guard stood at attention as the choir sang, people rose to their voices as they heard their own military anthem sung for their branch of service, and a deafening silence interrupted the applause. Eyes seldom dry filled the room, while the camera scanned the large area in the convention center at Cleveland.

Lights dimmed, a spotlight fell upon the flags, and the color guard moved toward the camera with brisk steps that kept in time with one another, followed by Scottish Bagpipes and an additional sequence of marching. A faster pace, too quick for the camera to follow, while scanning the room for familiar faces of months and years past with favorites of Wheel Me On members, it fell at a distance and followed our American Flag.

Team Coaches As Team Coaches, Melissa Camburn Cook, and Cindy Denny helped prepare the veteran athletes through out the year with training for each particular sport. Training included education about rules and regulations for the games, and how events functioned (categories, competition, expectations). Additionally, brought into the program under coaching are physical conditioning, exercise, and mental approach. In general, when attending as Team Coaches to any sporting event, they are responsible for the team during the entire event. Melissa and Cindy are from the Memphis Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC), and work in Recreation Therapy in the Spinal Cord Unit. They have attended the Games since 1999. Serving as Team Coaches, (they) "are honored to have the opportunity to observe the therapeutic benefits of the events first hand."

Nursing & Medical Care Typically, every team travels with at least one nurse for their chapter to assure medical care is provided should it become necessary. This task fell on the shoulders of Cynthia Hobson Skipper from the Nursing Staff at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee (VAMC), which is the hub for spinal cord injuries in the four-state Chapter area. Her responsibilities included providing immediate attention to any one of the twelve athletes, being available 24-hours a day, and remaining in-tune with all members.

Seeing Barry Muth, San Antonio Sub-Chapter, Texas Paralyzed Veterans Association, brought new meaning to the games when realizing the Muth family came to Cleveland with him. Thus it was, the entire week of NVWG 2002, awareness, education, being involved, and association with more faces that would effect everyone's life in the years ahead.

The second day started with a rush to catch the bus in front of the convention center to go to the City Municipal Parking Lot for the Softball event, whose sponsor was The DeGasperis Family Foundation out of Long Island, New York. David and his father, Siro DeGasperis, began covering the National Veteran Wheelchair Games in the city of Pittsburgh in 1998. Siro retired from United Parcel Service (UPS) and the foundation began supporting the softball event in 2001. The family of Siro DeGasperis was there in full force, starting the games with the sacred National Anthem and two young girls holding the American Flag.

Terrence Green, Mid-South Chapter, PVA, was in the batter's box, at the far end of the parking lot, and ready to slug his first hit. It was a beautiful day for the "ball park", filled with antics galore from Bill Banks, #368, from Canoga Park, California, playing on the same "Brown" team. Repeated calls of "Let's hear some chatter out there!" commanded movement, and then the hurried rush for the ball. Terrence captivated the lens and Bill stole the show.

A quick dash for the bus loaned a breather, before capturing Sane Dailey (#458), Matthew Powell (#541), Rodrick Jordan (#463, and Anthony Gilliam (#460), all from Mid-South PVA, at Palisades Bowl. Bonnie Sampsell (#110) from Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA) was also there bowling, and gave the lens an added boost to see her strength and capabilities increase during the past two years. Rod Jordan did not appear to be too pleased with his results in the Class III Novice Division, but there was more yet to come. Caught on video, there was only one photo for the site, but an excellent awareness tape would soon be in production with four great athletes.

Back on the bus, the cameras headed for the Convention Center along with a few bowlers. Craig Shera from EPVA was in close-up mode, cracking a few jokes that got the attention of Shane Dailey and Matthew Powell, Mid-South PVA. Team Coaches Melissa Camburn Cook and Cindy Denney couldn't help but laugh at the antics, while the digital just kept clicking.

Part of the experience was to enjoy meeting new people, learning a little more about others already met, and enjoying each other's company. While most wheelchair users appear quiet and shy, it is amazing to realize just how out-going wheelers really are, so this was just one small example of introversion not being present.

Wheeling over to Air Rifle competition in the same convention center, the camera found a few interesting shots. Focused on Dorian Smothers (#464), from Memphis, Tennessee, it was interesting to capture the instruction providing information along with close-up footage and audio narration for a video.

A tripod held the barrel of the rifle eliminating the need for a lot of arm strength, and a hair-trigger was set for Dorian. Each marksman had an attendant standing next to the participant providing instructions, and loading single shots into the rifle.

This year noticing more woman involved with air rifle competition, the sport appeared to open up to curiosity, and more than an equal opportunity, which in fact, all events were available to male or female disabled veterans.

Note: By the end of the competition, Dorian Smothers of the Mid-South Chapter took home a Silver Medal for the Powerchair 220 Slalom event with a time of 1:05.78 minutes in Class 1A, Novice Division.

Heading for the Convention Center, Thursday morning brought a few surprises that were highlights for Wheel Me On... First, there was exhibition Power Soccer, a sport long waited for with many wheelers anxious to try it out. It was easy to get a little side-tracked while heading over to catch one of the Mid-South Team Members at another sport, when spotting two favorite members from EPVA, both trying to figure out how the Power Soccer Game was going to work. The sport was being practiced with power wheelchairs. Large white plastic protectors, attached to the front of the chairs, covered the feet and leg areas, and moved the ball that was nearly as large as the wheelchairs. It looked a little odd at first, but the golden rule of not being able to reverse and go backwards in a wheelchair, made the game a little more difficult once everything got rolling.

Heavy thick chains laid in a wavy pattern on the floor over at the course for Manual Slalom, something the lens had not seen before, and captured a lot of curiosity. This was a favorite sport and one the camera would return to several times in the course of the remaining days.

Dashing around in the Convention Center trying to locate Team Members of Mid-South before heading for the bus station, Slalom caught the lens of the camera and spotted Dorian Smothers attempting one of the courses in Motorized Slalom.

There was just enough time to find the tennis courts for a couple of quick shots of Johnny Jones with his son, Marcos, who was working pretty avidly at keeping his eyes on the balls, and retrieving them for the players.

Keeping in mind this was competition, and an easily distractible sport, the camera took a couple shots while zooming in, and then left, with flash backs from the games in 2000 at San Antonio, Texas bringing a flood of old memories forward when seeing several children helping the athletes.

The bus ride over to the Trap Range was interesting, allowing just a slight delay, but most people were having so much fun visiting, it did not seem to be too big a deal. The camera wanted to score with Shane Dailey, who was attending his second year with NVWG, and the photographer was as anxious as everyone else to get out to the range, and feel the spirit of a sport left years behind.

Moving over to the second range, Shane was slowing down just slightly. From a distance, it appeared he was either losing perspective or just not concentrating. This young man was too good a shot to start missing the birds now, and it brought vivid memories of sons following their father's commands, "Raise the gun, aim, shoot"!

It also reminded the photographer of her weird dominant left-eye. Of course, Bob Hartman of FieldandClays, sneaked up in back of the photographer, and shot her. Click on the photo to see what he did next!

Seeing Shane raise his arm and smile, was reason to believe he was going to go all-the-way.

By the time Shane Dailey reached his halfway point, he was starting to loose it, missing more than he should have been. It was hot in the sun, late in the afternoon, and not good for anyone sitting in a wheelchair. Two other marksmen had already dropped from the field, leaving only three shooting by the time Shane hit the final range, and his last twenty-five shots to make a hundred. This young man was determined, though obviously tired and hot.

Thirty-year old Shane Dailey was a few years younger than son BM1 David Musgraves. He started shooting two years ago with a 12-guage over and under Remington, averaging about 60-percent on a range near his home in Camden, Alabama.

Shane served in the United States Coast Guard for one and a half years, stationed in Portsmouth, Virginia, before his accident. When learning this bit of history behind Shane Dailey, it was suddenly small wonder why "karma" took immediate interest in Shane Dailey.

Returning to a cooler location back at the Convention Center, the camera caught up with several friends... all smiling with medals draped around their necks! Marie Henry, Gulf Coast Chapter, PVA, from Plant City, Florida, was giggling so hard with her win at Slalom, it was difficult to focus the camera.

She ended up rolling out on the last day with five Gold Medals, all in Class III, Open Divisions: Motorized Rally, Bowling, Motorized Slamon, Discus, and Air Guns. Unbelievable!

Mike Wilson, EPVA, drove out from Springville, New York, and looked too sharp in the new helmet... He took two Gold Medals and a Silver Medal back home with him. Not too shabby with three out of five! Mike entered Class 1B, Open Division with a Gold for Motorized Slalom and Powerchair, and a Silver for Bowling - Handleball. He claimed he would drive to California next year for NVWG!

Catching up with Eugene Gold from Wailua, Hawaii, was a return to roots when he flashed a "hang-ten" at the camera. Faithful to "Hawaii Nei Ohana", he was anxious to talk-story and share goodies after months of not seeing one another.

Learning there were now 1.3 million people on Oahu, provided enough reason to keep the soil under wheels in Tennessee.

It was Eugene's 16th year with NVWG. He was living up to his name, ending with two gold medals and a bronze, respectfully in Table Tennis, Archery, and 9-Ball.

Friday morning turned out to be one of the more exciting days while sitting on the bus heading for Field Events that included Discus, Shot Put, Javelin, and an exhibition of Cross Bow. Unbeknown without instant memory recall, a long-time Wheel Me On... Member and supporter seated on the right of the bus, was paid little attention to, as cameras rolled in next to him.

With absolutely no acknowledgment of recognition, clowning around with other wheelers proceeded for several minutes, before turning and looking at the gentleman. ("Do I know you?" ~ "You should", he answered.)

Seated immediately alongside was Wayne Miller, who entertained members attending the Wheel Me On... "Caravan for Disability Awareness 2001" program in Washington, DC, with his wonderful voice. Truly, a face never to be forgot, and words he could put magical rhythm to, with or without a little music.

Once out on the field, there was enough action to keep a person busy for hours. Several pits had been set-up for the events, while eyes scanned the area for Mid-South PVA members; it was not real difficult to bump into Ronald McOwen from Bakersfield, California. He entered as a novice in five events, wrapping four medals around his neck in the end. Novice or not, this man might be someone to keep an eye on in the future.

Terry Carr from Fayetteville, Arkansas, (Mid-South PVA), was getting ready to throw at the Javelin site by the time the lens found him.

Terry entered five competitions, all in the Masters Division, and two of them field events. His big win took a Gold Medal during the Air Guns.

Moving right along, Matthew Powell, from Charleston, Arkansas, (a member of Mid-South PVA), was found at a Novice Javelin Pit.

Sad for the cameras, because he got hung-up making his mount and the lens were not ready. None-the-less, an interview later proved rather interesting, and his sense of humor a real benefit.

Matthew Powell entered four events and took home a medal for each one as a Novice: Two Gold, a Bronze, and Silver. Wow... Some novice!

Wheels rolled back onto the bus and headed for the track where Leroy Cage from Eads, Tennessee, (Mid-South PVA), entered both the 100 Meter and 200 Meter events in Class IV, Masters Division. He ended up wheeling out with two Bronze Medals following some tough competition.

An absolute gorgeous day for the archery range, which was used for field events the day before. First thoughts were to count the targets, but that idea was quickly forgot, when archers began taking their places at numbered spots, that matched targets across the field from them.

It seemed like a good idea to photograph someone's case laying open with arrows neatly lined up. Archery was apparently a favorite with the Mid-South PVA Chapter having five of their athletes on the field. Finding all of them was another story, but luckily, there were three in a row.

Anthony Gilliam was at Target 24, Johnny Jones at Target 25, and Rodrick Jordan at Target 26. Perfect, except for not finding Shane Dailey or Charles Collins. Even a ride down to the very end of the lineup later on did not produce them, but then, that did not mean they were not there. It just meant that the memory had lost the file again. Furthermore, the results proved they were there.

The camera kept setting the lens on Rodrick Jordan and as the event began, it was another small wonder while he sank the arrows in his target consistently. During the breaks, Rodrick Jordan frequently shared his thoughts and it became apparent a gold was probably going around his neck.

Six arrows were shot at the target and then retrieved by volunteers, truly an amazing sight to see hundreds of people march out on the field, often searching the ground on their hands and knees looking for misplaced arrows that didn't hit targets. (Hey, these arrows are expensive!)

The event did not end until each Archer shot a series of twelve rounds, (if memory is still working).

Especially enjoyed were the candid shots that piqued a little more interest. At the end of the event, there was no doubt upon hearing the scores of the Mid-South PVA Members. All three earned Gold Medals, and so did Charles Collins!

Favorite quote heard during the week came from Arnold Beard who was shooting at the end of the line-up. (Or maybe it was the first?)

Arnold was a friend from Aspen and the DAV Winter Ski Clinic who sat at the same table during the closing ceremonies. Regarding, "I'm so sorry"; the quote:

During the archery event, there was time to sneak over to check out another exhibition hoping to make the National Veteran Wheelchair Games in the future. Gary Grubbe was receiving pointers and checking out the equipment when the cameras rolled up.

After watching Gary's first round of six solid hits, there was a strange feeling someone was kidding someone. Either this was just too easy, or Gary was a heck of a good shot!

Geoff Bair was a staff shooter for Ten Point Crossbow Technologies, and made the sport rather interesting while explaining equipment, rules, and shooting techniques.

The lens got a glimpse of Curt Breamer, Photographer, PN Magazine, heading out for his own location, which later developed into a shooting match between photographers.

The game impostors were positioned at 200 and 400 yards. Even so, Gary managed to make 11 solid hits out of 12, the later skipping dead-center below the belly and screaming out into the field.

It was interesting to learn this was Gary's first year at the games. He rolled back to Marlette, Michigan with two Gold Medals, both in Class III, Novice, with Table Tennis (II, III) and Air Guns Para (with assistance). Not too shabby for his first time!

When Greg Shera, EPVA, rolled up to try out Crossbow Shooting, the battle of the cameras began with a few grins of humor, then too soon, it was time to head for the bus, and back to the hotel.

The Annual Event of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games is more than a sporting activity. Through association, the opportunity to meet other people is continuously present, with it comes the thrill of competition whether actively participating or not, impressions left of wheels in front of you, and the ever-present ability to share both the serious side of winning, and the humor involved with living.

Most people involved with the events have a willingness to, "Don't sweat the small stuff", and a desire to meet the challenge.

Branch of service, rank, disability all seem to evolve into a single word called, "participate". Though most people participated within their chapters, Chapters merged into a huge mass of people, and only the curiosity of wondering where someone lived, brought forth the subject for proximity.

End Results ~ Mid-South Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America

The Sports Director, Jackie Franklin, of Mid-South PVA reported 13 athletes attended NVWG 2002, of which five were from Arkansas, four from Alabama, one from Mississippi, and three from Tennessee. This team of athletes rolled back home with a total of 26 medals: Eleven Gold, Seven Silver, and eight Bronze. This is an average of two medals per person ~ think about it!

---

Mid-South Paralyzed Veterans of America
Memphis VAMC
1030 Jefferson Avenue, Room 2D100, Memphis, TN
Memphis Office: 901-527-3018; 800-767-3018

Nashville Office: 615-736-7713/14; 800-795-3569
Alabama Office: 334-213-3433/34/35; 800-795-3581
Mississippi Office: 601-364-7188; 800-795-3610
"Support the PVA ~ They Supported Us!"

---

It was following the games of competition and exhibitions when the reality of hundreds upon hundreds of people stuck home; heightening the camaraderie once again, between the veterans and non-veterans alike; this was simply called "American".

While this was an event carefully planned and orchestrated between the Disabled Veterans of America, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, there were thousands upon thousands of every-day citizens participating with the event as volunteers. Still, the fact was, this was an event for the veterans, many of who were associates and members of Wheel Me On..., and many who were friends.

---

One Last Shot

The wheels took the cameras back and forth to separate basketball courts at the Euclid Sportsplant, avidly watching four teams, learning how to follow the ball instead of the people. It was an interesting experience, though a painful process to position for entire sequences without stopping, yet the thrill of the sport was compelling. On the far right court, the blue team played against the red team, and in a separate court, the black team played against the gray team.

There were five Mid-South athletes involved in the games: Anthony Gilliam, Terrence Green, Chuck Collins, Louis Gaesswitz, and Doug Moore. Many athletes attended the event to watch their comrades and Matt Powell was a good catch for a narator, along with Doug Moore before his game started. All of the athletes were aggressive players, but eyes could not help but follow both Chuck Collins and teammate number 13 on the blue team. Wheeling back and forth between the two courts while attempting to keep up with the four teams was an experience in itself. Seeing number 13 falling out of his wheelchair and getting his fingers run over was enough to have one's breath taken away.

The semi-finals two nights later brought an unexpected maneuver in the game, when suddenly three athletes came straight toward the photographer. The two outside wheelchair athletes split away in left and right directions at about ten-feet in distance, leaving the man in the middle heading straight for the power wheelchair and the photographer. Captivated by the sport, while sitting on the sideline quite near to the courts boundary line watching the Blue and Red Teams, movement of manual wheelchairs on each side of the camera moving backwards was only sensed. Too engrossed to notice the action heading straight toward the photographer, she nonchalantly turned her head from the viewfinder, leaving the lens fixed at the far end of the court.

The photographer met eye contact with the athlete, and both suddenly displayed expressions of shock with the reality of potential collision. The athlete reacted in split second moves, heaved himself out of the wheelchair at less than six-feet away, forced the wheelchair to spin in an opposite direction, and went flying to the floor at the front wheels of the power chair holding the cameras. His head turned away from view as he sprawled horizontally in front of her, he lifted his head in slow-motion, turning to look at her with an expression of relief on his face. "Thank you", were the only words that came, spoken softly, but quite clearly from the woman with the camera.

The sequence of the event missed on camera film, but witnessed by hundreds of on-lookers watching the game. Determination to meet the athlete following the game to personally thank him for literally sparing a life was inevitable. There would be no memory prohibiting recall to his reaction during a crucial moment of deliberately avoiding to hit a person.

Ken Medeiros, from Taunton, Massachusetts, rolled out of the Euclid Sportsplant where the gymnasium held the basketball games. The photographer deliberately waited outside. "You saved my life", she calmly stated, as he came down the ramp. He laughed at her words. "Thank you, I really mean it. Thank you", she said, before parting for separate buses that would take them back to the Convention Center.

Ken Medeious was one of the more aggressive players seen, one that rolled with the punches, and went back for more, uncomplaining. Falling or flying out of his wheelchair several times during the game, and crawling back up to the seat. At one point in the second half of the game, one of the wheels flew off his chair.

It was not until the final day of events, during the Closing Ceremonies, when everything began to fall into place. Hearing Ken Medeiros' name as the recipient of the Gold Cup for the Spirit of the Games, to the photographer, it was of small wonder having seen his remarkable sportsmanship during several events, the happening at Euclid Sportsplant, and the camera consistently unaware of catching glimpses of him throughout the week.

The camcorder followed his approach to the podium during the Closing Ceremonies for him to receive his award with the assistance of a fellow comrade. People leaped out to congratulate him during his slow trek down the aisle, and Curt Beamer, photographer for Paraplegic News (PN Magazine), approached the photographer to help give her advantage points for filming from a wheelchair.

Later that evening following the Closing Ceremonies, people gathered at the hotel, among them were several waiting for Ken Medeiros. Opportunity arrived to again thank him, but he shrugged it off and laughed. "No, I'm serious, Ken', this photographer said, 'you really did save my life. There is a plate at C5, 6 and 7 in my neck. The power to my wheelchair was turned off for safety."

This is not to say the basketball event had anything to do with The Spirit of the Games, but rather provide an inside happening to enlighten others of team spirit, awareness of athletes, and an actual occurance that took place with a true winner. The only question left is, "Who said the number 13 was an unlucky number?"

Ken Medeious did leave for Massachusetes with a Gold Medal for Basketball, Class III, Masters Division, and a Bronze Medal for Table Tennis, Class V, Masters Division.

Congratulations Ken Medeious!

The 23rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games 2003 will be held in Long Beach, California

Please Sign My Guestbook