Overcoming the impacts of MS through the Wheelchair Games
Rob York, of Woodbury, is one of nearly 20 Veterans from the Minneapolis VA Health Care System competing in the 43rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games in New Orleans.
The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is the world’s largest annual wheelchair rehabilitation sports event solely for military Veterans with disabilities.
“The games help me get out of the funk of what I thought I couldn’t do. Especially seeing other people do the things that I never thought I could do,” said York when asked what the Wheelchair Games are all about.
York served as a flight surgeon’s surgical assistant in the Air Force and Air National Guard, but got out of service shortly after a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. MS is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. He was an occupational therapist at the Minneapolis VA when he learned that he qualified to attend the Wheelchair Games. “When they told me basketball was involved, I was like, that was my game, that’s what I did in High School,” said York.
The Wheelchair Games not only allowed York a chance to play basketball again he immersed himself in softball, swimming and field events.
“There's a lot of people now that are playing in these games that have MS, and there never was when I first started coming,” said York who has participated in the games for eight years. “I felt odd because in the beginning I would walk in, I mean I had a rollator or I used a cane, but I would walk in. So I was like man, these guys are on chairs, I'm way out of it.”
Over the years York has become less and less ambulatory. His motivation to keeping pushing himself in his sports and in life come from his experiences at the Wheelchair Games.
“I’m not in this alone, I’m in a team of people. And I’m seeing more and more people with MS coming out. So for me, it’s also becoming an experience where I can help teach. I’m getting older, starting to not be the new guy on the block anymore and I can start being in that coaching role and mentoring role about how to access things better.”
The games challenge Veterans to adapt independently in new communities. The event also provides opportunities for newly injured Veterans to rehabilitate using adaptive sports and connects them to other peers who use wheelchairs. Co-presented by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America, this year’s local host is Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System. The five day games conclude on July 30.
Next summer, July 2025, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games will be held in Minneapolis.