Golden Age Games Help Eastern Oklahoma Veterans Meet Goals
Seven Oklahoma Veterans were all smiles recently as they got together to commemorate their trip to the 2023 National Veterans Golden Age Games.
The team recently competed in the annual Olympic-styled event with guidance and support from the Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Recovery Center (PRRC) team at the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System. PRRC is a multidisciplinary team in place to support the mental health needs of our nation’s heroes.
Odell Smith, vocational rehabilitation specialist; Heath Wells, recreational therapist; and Charles Smiles, peer support specialist, assist Veterans with sign-up, training, and attending the games, which take place in a new city each year.
PRRC has participated in the games for the past five years, using it as an avenue to support Veterans in meeting their goals of reintegration and socialization. The team found that the games were a great opportunity for Veterans in their program to practice, meet, and exceed goals with success.
“We try to make sure our Veterans are prepared,” said Smith. “We stay close by to offer support because going that far away from their familiar areas can be a tough experience, especially if it’s the first time in a while. We just want to make sure they have the support and tools to be confident in themselves while they are competing away from home.”
Wells says that from a recreational therapy standpoint it is rewarding to see how well everyone does.
“It is amazing to see these extraordinary individuals get out there and compete with Veterans from across the country,” said Wells. “Especially those who lacked confidence in their ability to do so in the beginning. We are just so proud of them.”
Once the team gets signed-up for their events, they train in preparation for the big day, with plans of bringing home medals and ribbons, but most of all a sense of accomplishment and good memories!
Smiles, who is also an Army Veteran, knows a thing or two about competing in the games as this is his fourth time to compete. This year he even won the gold medal in the horseshoe competition!
“Going to the games is challenging because there is a lot of good competition,” said Smiles. “It is a very enjoyable and thrilling experience. I had the opportunity to see a lot of guys I competed with in previous games, and we got to talk.”
Smiles says he has a great time competing in the games alongside the fellow Oklahoma Veterans he accompanies.
“It is not about us in PRRC; it’s about helping our Veterans,” said Smiles. “There is such a great feeling of accomplishment in seeing these Veterans compete as part of their process. We are so proud of their efforts and accomplishments! We love to see them shine!”