Three Houston area disabled veteran wheelchair athletes, including one from Katy, were among the medalists at the 30th National Veterans Wheelchair Games held recently in Denver.
David Fowler, 49, an Army veteran from Katy was one of the members of the “Texas Blasters” team that medaled in event competition. Other team members included Derrick Perkins, 46, an Air Force veteran from Sugar Land and Timothy Jones, 26, a Navy veteran from Magnolia.
All are disabled veterans who receive their health care at Houston’s Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
At the games, veterans competed in 17 different sports, including air guns, archery, basketball, bowling, field events, hand cycling, nine-ball, a motorized wheelchair relay, power soccer, quad rugby, softball, swimming, table tennis, track, trapshooting, weightlifting and wheelchair slalom. An exhibition event in kayaking was also featured in this year’s competition.
“The Texas Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America sponsored 23 wheelchair athletes this year,” said Fowler, who also serves as the Texas Chapter president.
Adam C. Walmus, director of the DeBakey Veteran’s Medical Center, said the National Veterans Wheelchair Games give disabled veterans the opportunity to enjoy rigorous athletic competition.
“Every year, these heroes demonstrate their talent, stamina and determination at this outstanding event, the same qualities they exhibited when helping preserve our nation’s freedom,” Walmus said.
Walmus added sports are an important part of the therapy used to treat many disabilities. For many injured veterans, the Wheelchair Games provide their first exposure to wheelchair athletics.
