Salt Lake City Veteran’s journey to the Golden Age Games

Mark Wager served in the U.S. Air Force from 1988 to 1996 during the Gulf War era. He worked in aircraft maintenance, disassembling aircraft flight components, inspecting parts and performing preventive maintenance.

Wager’s time in the Air Force instilled in him a strong sense of teamwork and determination—traits that have been crucial in his recovery journey.

Participating in the Golden Age Games

In 2009, Wager suffered a stroke that left him with hemiparesis. Hemiparesis, often observed as a result of a stroke, leads to weakness on one side of the body. This condition can restrict movement and impact daily tasks like dressing, eating and walking. Determined to regain his strength and mobility, he enrolled in VA Salt Lake City Health Care System’s adaptive sports program in October 2023.

After enrolling in adaptive sports, he began to rediscover his abilities, participating in activities like aquatic therapy, cycling and bowling.

“Mark came to me wanting to challenge himself,” said Shannon O’Rawe, Wager’s recreational therapist and Golden Age Games coach. “He’s been incredibly motivated, attending every practice, learning the rules and committing to the training.”

Wager is competing for the first time in several events at the Golden Age Games, including cycling, bowling, boccia and cornhole.

Training for and participating in these sports gave him a physical outlet and reignited his competitive spirit.

“I see these games as an opportunity to prove to myself and others that life doesn’t end after a stroke—it can still be full of achievements,” said Wager.

Benefits of physical activity

For Wager, participating in the Golden Age Games is more than just about winning medals. It’s about maintaining “Fitness for Life,” a principle he has embraced wholeheartedly.

“I’m living ‘Fitness for Life.’” said Wager. “It isn’t just a slogan for me; it’s lifestyle change that connected me to community and gave me goals to work toward.”

Through sports, he’s found a renewed sense of purpose and a way to continue challenging himself.

Why he participates

Wager is participating in the Golden Age Games to grow and inspire other Veterans facing similar challenges.

“Participating in these games has been life-changing,” Wager shared. “I’m proving to myself I can still achieve great things and, hopefully, showing other Veterans that they can too.”

Outlook and advice for Veterans

Wager believes that with the right mindset and support, every Veteran can find a path to recovery and personal fulfillment. His advice to other Veterans is to get involved in physical activities, whether through sports or other forms of exercise and to embrace the challenges they face as opportunities for growth.

Concluding reflections

As Wager prepares to compete, he’s focused on doing his best and representing his fellow VA Salt Lake City Veterans. 

His coach, Shannon O’Rawe, is confident in his abilities.

“People might underestimate him when they first meet him, but Mark is a fierce competitor,” said O’Rawe. “He will give it his all, and I’m excited to see how he performs.”

The Golden Age Games include 19 competitive events in three categories: ambulatory, wheelchair and visually impaired divisions, and eight age groups ranging from 55 to 90+. 825 Veteran participants, including 367 novice athletes and 254 female Veterans, are expected to attend the 2024 Games.

Jesus Flores is a writer and editor on the VISN 19 Creative Task Force and a Marine Corps Veteran