Champions Among Us
Bill Jackson with one of his gold medals from the 2011 National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
As an Air Force Veteran of 13 years, Bill Jackson was always involved in some sort of adventure. But after sustaining a serious injury to his spinal cord, Jackson’s adventures seemed to be a thing of his past from the seat of his wheelchair.
That is until recently.
Jackson was one of four local Veterans who attended the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the largest wheelchair games in the world, in Pittsburgh during the first week of August. At the Games, Jackson’s abilities were unleashed as he competed in motorized slalom, bowling, track-200 meter and air guns.
“Participating in the Games proved to me that there is so much more I could do,” says Jackson. “Not only for myself but for other people. You could walk up to any one of the athletes and cheer them on and uplift their spirits. It was like you had an incredible bond with everyone there.”
Jackson was one of the first total home care Veterans to attend the Games. He first heard about the games during a home visit from his VA occupational therapist who suggested he attend. Jackson came alive at the idea, filled out the forms and started training and working with Erie VA’s recreational therapy team.
Jackson took notes while watching videos of last year’s games and started preparing for the big event. He’d drive to a local Wal-Mart late at night so he could use the palates as an obstacle course. He’d run between two pallets and drive around back and forth learning to focus his movement.
His preparation and attitude paid off and in August, Jackson, along with three other Veterans from the Erie area, headed off to Pittsburgh to compete as athletes in the Games.
This event offers Veterans the opportunity to explore their abilities. Jackson, like many other first timer athletes at the Games, surprised himself. He rolled away from the games with two gold medals, in motorized slalom, and in bowling, and one bronze medal in track for the 200-meter.
“The fact that I won was a complete shock,” says Jackson. “It was an amazing feeling to be called up on stage during the awards ceremony. There was a room full of people I didn’t even know whooping and hollering for me. I can’t imagine a better experience.”
Jackson’s face lights up every time he talks about the Games. He’s already back in training and he’s recruiting other Veterans to join him next year. Jackson’s adventures are far from over.
Visit www.wheelchairgames.va.gov to view videos, read more stories, and learn more about the National Veteran Wheelchair Games.
Congratulations to all local and national athletes who participated in the National Veteran Wheelchair Games and much thanks to the community donors who partnered with the Erie VA to make this life-changing experience possible.
