Michael Nielsen:
We are here at the Paralyzed Veterans of America National Wheelchair Games in Detroit, Michigan.
Trey Thomas:
This is my fifth year at the Games. We got in yesterday, hit the opening ceremonies. It was really awesome to meet all 550 athletes this year. It’s always like a big family reunion, getting all these guys together and hanging out and doing some competitive adaptive sports.
Michael Nielsen:
Getting to see what this event presents to the people that are veterans that have given their time, effort, and limbs to our country, it’s humbling to be surrounded by this many heroes that are presented with the opportunity to come out and compete.
Steve Bruno:
What an amazing experience this has been. This is my first year here, and to see these athletes shine, seeing the family get the camaraderie here has been unbelievable.
Michael Nielsen:
You come out and you think you’re going to have limitations and they show you that there aren’t any. Whatever it is, these guys and gals are out here doing it and they are doing it at a professional level.
Trey Thomas:
They keep pushing themselves every day to reach that next tier, that next level of competition.
Michael Nielsen:
Archery, air rifle, basketball, soccer, boccia ball, murder ball, which is their version of rugby, it’s amazing to watch.
Steve Bruno:
We have witnessed so many different fun events. We sponsor the boccia event, which if anybody’s ever played boccia, you know it’s intense.
Michael Nielsen:
I’ve never seen boccia ball before, and learning this event has been amazing. Seeing the skill that goes into this game to achieve the level of professionalism that’s here is impressive.
Cathy de la Garza:
To see people come together as a community, both with their teams per state, but also as people supporting each other through some very adverse conditions in their lives and then rising above. And in the spirit of competition, being able to say, “These circumstances don’t define me, but how I respond to the circumstances is who I am.”
Justin Hall:
Yeah, this year, it’s really cool. I just won a gold medal for eSports and Rocket League, which is a full circle moment for me because in 2019, I was supposed to go to college and be on the eSports team for University of South Carolina. Now to win a gold medal doing that, it’s wild. It’s pretty cool.
I love this stuff, man. It gets me out of my house, getting out in the community. I’ve gotten to travel. I met my wife and it all stemmed from Adaptive Sports. And Adaptive Sports are more than just physical therapy or recreational therapy. It’s mental health. It’s everything. So I don’t know. It’s very special to me.
Trey Thomas:
These veterans are not a project to us. This is something that I feel it’s my honor to do, to continue to serve, to keep coming out here year after year.
Michael Nielsen:
Being able to be part of something that larger than yourself is what drives most veterans. And then being able to come here and continue to operate on that level is humbling and I’m honored to do so.
Trey Thomas:
I’m super fortunate to work for a company like Unity that actually takes pride in their veterans to ensure that we’re getting pushed to the next level is just completely incredible.
Cathy de la Garza:
I’m so proud and pleased that Unity continues to be involved in the National Wheelchair Games and to partner with Paralyzed Veterans of America to support this phenomenal event. And we hope to see you and your local communities do the same.
Steve Bruno:
If you haven’t checked out the National Wheelchair Games, I suggest you do so. It is life-changing.
Michael Nielsen:
Do it. You won’t be disappointed. These athletes are high speed, low drag, and you may even walk away a changed person.
Trey Thomas:
Next year, come on out to the games. Come see what we’re doing. We got your six.
Justin Hall:
Definitely come check it out, get involved with the wheelchair games. It changed my life. It can change yours.