Adaptive Sports for Disabled Vets

Disabled veterans will get a chance again this year to compete in adaptive sports across the country. The Department of Veterans Affairs is taking applications for $8 million grants that will support programs for disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces.

Last year, grants helped fund 90 different programs, including coaching and technical assistance, recreation therapists, equipment, supplies and programs on the local level, as well as advanced adaptive sports and Paralympic programs at the regional and national levels. Grant applicants are expected to be colleges, parks and rec departments, Paralympic sports clubs and organizations, nonprofits, Veterans Service Organizations and more.

For disabled athletes who want to train and compete, this is a huge program. See www.va.gov/adaptivesports for more information. Click on Paralympic Sport Club Finder to locate ones in your area, or go to www.teamusa.org for full listings. Depending on where you live, you can join adaptive skiing, para-athlete triathlons, sports for visually impaired, snow-shoeing, cycling, wheelchair basketball, archery, fly fishing, kayaking, disc golf, biathalon, tennis and many more.

Specific adaptive events during the year include:

• Valor Games — open to veterans with a VA disability rating for PTSD, amputation, traumatic brain injury and more.

• Golden Age games — open to veterans age 55 or older who get health care at the VA.

• Summer Sports Clinic, Sept. 17-22 in San Diego — take part in surfing, track and field, sailing, hand and tandem cycling. For those who were recently injured, daily therapy is part of the program.

• TEE Tournament, Sept. 11-15 in Iowa City, Iowa — develop skills in adaptive golf and bowling.

If you’re disabled and think you won’t get anything out of the sports programs, go online to www.va.gov/adaptivesports. Check out some of the videos of veterans in the programs. You might change your mind.