Adaptive Sports and Arts - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Want to make a meaningful impact? VOLUNTEER to support paralyzed/disabled at our in New Orleans!
Sign Up: https://wheelchairgames.org/.
Our are co-presented yearly by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans of America, w/ local host New Orleans Veterans Medical Center.

Lou Krieger, an Army who served two tours in Vietnam, leads a unique program in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in partnership with Ripley’s Aquarium, that offers Veterans a chance to de-stress and reconnect with nature. The no-cost experience for Veterans aims to support their mental health, especially those struggling with PTSD.

Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System

Rays of Calm Lou Krieger, an Army Veteran who served two tours in Vietnam, leads a unique program in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in partnership with Ripley’s Aquarium, ...

Adaptive sports have helped Army Henry Escobedo-Ramirez, from Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, continue to reach his goals. In 2021, he participated in kayaking, sailing and surfing at the National Veterans in San Diego. Then in March 2024, he won first place at the 2024 Texas State Time Trial Championship in the category for blind participants. We can't wait to see what he does next!

Blindness can’t stop Army Veteran - VA News Visual Impairment Rehabilitation clinic provided blind Veteran prosthetics adaptive aids and services to help him live independently.

The Durham Avengers Team, made up of from Durham VA Health Care System, are training hard to prepare for the National Veterans in New Orleans, July 25-30. They have been putting in serious hours at Pickleball and Boccia practice and are ready to bring home some medals. Let's show our support and cheer on their hard work!
New Orleans Veterans Medical Center

Way to go, Team Martinsburg VA Medical Center. Thanks for your support! Just think, with your help, more Veterans will bring home the gold and continue striving for "Fitness for Life." See you soon in Salt Lake City.

VA is hosting VetFest events nationwide to help and their families get signed up for the resources they’ve earned. Here is the listing for each state. This list will be periodically updated.

Get 1-on-1 assistance at VA VetFest events across the country - VA News VA is hosting VetFest events nationwide to help Veterans and their families get signed up for the resources they’ve earned.

Recreation Therapy & Creative Arts Therapy have a positive impact on Veterans' health and recovery. And engaging in sports and arts helps Veterans discover their purpose. Thank you, Paige, for making a difference and for helping Veterans get ready for the National Veterans Golden Age Games.
Photos courtesy of: LA Times.
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

For your bottom-line up front, The BLUF shares the excitement surrounding this year's VA Adaptive Sports and Arts Programs. We then get into the Foreign Medical Program and some adrenaline therapy on the raceway with Battle Scarred Motorsports.

VA Adaptive Sports and Arts, Foreign Medical Program, and Adrenaline Therapy | The BLUF For your bottom-line up front, The BLUF takes a look at this year's National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic as well as other adaptive sports events. ...

There's still time! ⏰ Register your awesome kid aged 5-12 who uses a wheelchair for our National Veterans Kids Day in New Orleans, LA, on July 27, 2024 here:
https://events.blackthorn.io/en/Ho1cSeR7/g/A1JG83eZjC/2024-nvwg-kids-day-registration-5a2FHo3XZqK/overview

We are 80 days from Day 1 of the National Veterans Golden Age Games, and Army Don Phillips is making his third appearance at the games. He’ll be 94 when competition begins, which makes him the oldest competitor at our annual multi-sports event being held in Salt Lake City, Aug. 24-29. Like and share to cheer on Don and all our Veterans as they prepare! VA Salt Lake City Health Care System

Age is no limit for competitor in National Veterans Golden Age Games | VA Salt Lake City health care | Veterans Affairs U.S. Army Veteran Don Phillips celebrated his 70th wedding anniversary in December 2023. At an age when many of his peers are slowing down, 93-year-old Phillips is strength training in preparation for his third competitive effort at the National Veterans Golden Age Games.

We are PROUD to serve all who served. At VA, we strive to provide a safe and inclusive environment and to remove barriers for LGBTQ+ Veterans. We will continue to uplift and celebrate every Veteran and serve them the best way we know how, through world-class healthcare.

Learn more at https://www.patientcare.va.gov/lgbt/

Every week, Army Veteran Lenny McNair, from VA Maryland Health Care System, drives from Owings Mills to the Perry Point VA Medical Center to prepare for the National Veterans in Salt Lake City. McNair trains with his fellow each week, and together they have found a new sense of self-esteem and confidence playing sports. Hear their story at the link below!
VA Salt Lake City Health Care System

"Basically it keeps me alive": Veterans prep for the Golden Age Games The national competition is for veterans 55 and older. They are training to compete against other VAs across the country. Each year is a different location.

Take a look at more festival pics and share the love felt at the 2024 National Veterans held in .
American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters American Legion Auxiliary National President VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System

Veterans from Battle Creek VA Medical Center recently graduated from the new Guitars For Vets program at their Wyoming VA Clinic! Thanks, FOX 17, for the inspiring coverage of our Veterans. Read about how music is striking a chord in Veterans' lives at the 🔗 below!

'All it takes is a song': How guitars are helping veterans cope with PTSD A new program at the Wyoming VA is striking a chord with the men and women who have served our country.

Take a moment and enjoy the Artwork from the Gold Medal winners of the 2024 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival.
From May 11-18, 2024, we were honored to celebrate the talent of our fine artists, performers and writers in Denver, Colorado. American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System

With the support of Move United Sport and Martinsburg VA Medical Center, approx. 30 Veterans from Southern West Virginia; Lebanon, Pa; Richmond, Va; Washington D.C.; and Delaware attended an competition on May 18.
The specialized rehabilitation event provides an opportunity for Veterans to work with a team, build morale and practice healthy competition. Congratulations to all the athletes! 🎉

It's Military Appreciation Month, and a perfect opportunity to show respect and admiration for our troops, veterans and families. Please take a moment to let our veteran artists and athletes know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice. Especially on this Memorial Day, we remember the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Their dedication to service will not be forgotten.

In 2 MONTHS, joins our New Orleans as an exhibition sport, which is a non-medaling event for athletes 🏈
Explore our Games, co-presented yearly by VA and Paralyzed Veterans of America, with local host New Orleans Veterans Medical Center. Visit https://wheelchairgames.org/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Army Veteran Larry Massie, with Battle Creek VA Medical Center, wrote a poem about his service in Vietnam and his memories of his daughter. Read his story, Dandelion Sky, which earned him a Gold Medal for Non-Rhyming Poetry-Military Experience and an invitation to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters

Dandelion Sky: Vietnam Veteran and poet uses words to express his military service | VA Battle Creek health care | Veterans Affairs Larry Massie is a United States Army Veteran from Michigan and Gold Medalist for Non-Rhyming Poetry-Military Experience at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. In 1965, Massie was fresh out of jump school at Fort Bennington, GA.

Dreamcatcher workshop at 2024 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, Denver, Colorado

This year at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, we're showcasing our Veterans' unique perspectives with personal photos from throughout the week that reveal their artistic expressions. Every snapshot is a window into their creativity and resilience, and through their lenses, we can see the vibrant community they have built. This album will be continuously updated, so make sure to check back over the next few days. American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System

2024 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, Denver, Colorado

It’s the final day of the National Veterans , and our Veterans are soaking up every moment of Joy they can with each other. American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System