No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Reserve & National Guard

Paraplegic Army National Guard veteran returns to National Veteran Wheelchair Games

Lizann Lightfoot
by Lizann Lightfoot
November 26, 2021
Wheelchair games

Army National Guard veteran Keith Thompson has competed in the National Veteran Wheelchair Games for several years. In 2018, he received the Spirit of the Games Award. Photo courtesy Keith Thompson

Army National Guard veteran Keith Thompson damaged his spine in a 2006 motorcycle crash, years after his service ended. He became a paraplegic and bound to a wheelchair. But in 2022, he will compete in his ninth National Veteran Wheelchair Games.  

This athletic National Guard veteran, who returns to the competition as the 2018 winner of the “Spirit of the Games” Award, was introduced to adaptive sports through his VA physical therapist Charlene James. 

Thompson, who served with interrupted contracts between 1989 and 2001 after mobilizing for operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, said competitive sports appealed to him immediately. 

“All the events caught my attention because my family is athletically inclined,” Thompson said. “I had done football and softball competitively before my accident. So when I knew I could do it from the chair, that piqued my interest.” 

Wheelchair games athlete mentors new competitors

And through the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, which VA established in 1981, he is able to continue training, competing and winning. 

The event, according to VA’s website, “is the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports event solely for military veterans.” 

Wheelchair games
Army National Guard veteran Keith Thompson has competed in the National Veteran Wheelchair Games for several years. In 2018, he received the Spirit of the Games Award. Photo courtesy Keith Thompson

After several appearances at the games, Thompson was surprised to receive the “Spirit of the Games” award in 2018 during the closing reception. The annual award is given to a veteran who exemplifies the event’s core values through athletic achievement, leadership and support of his or her fellow athletes.  

Seated in a large ballroom, focused on getting additional seating for others who were in the standing-room sections, Thompson didn’t even realize he was the recipient until he looked up and saw his own photos on the main screen. 

Since then, his enthusiasm has remained strong.  

“I try to mentor our novice and newer athletes,” Thompson said. “Trying to do therapy on your own gets old after a while, and it’s hard to stay motivated to do that on your own. You make excuses not to go to the gym. It’s better in a group atmosphere and the competition makes it more fun.”   

When the games were canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic, Thompson focused on at-home workouts. He paid for his own home gym to continue training, but said VA provides resources for adaptive athletes.  

“There is a Challenged Athlete Foundation for any injured veterans or first responders,” he said. “They will sponsor you and help you get the equipment and necessary training. Through their programs, I do wheelchair basketball and hand cycling.” 

RELATED: Army’s world Class Athlete Program prepares soldiers for Tokyo Olympics

This summer, the Wheelchair Games resumed competition in New York City, and Thompson was thrilled to participate.  

“It was very rewarding because my brother and sister played basketball there, so being able to play adaptive sports at Rutledge Park was an honor,” he said. “I did wheelchair softball, table tennis and nine ball (pool). For Track and Field, I did shotput, discus and javelin.” 

Next summer, when the Wheelchair Games are held in Tempe, Arizona, Thompson will try his hand at new sports, including Boccia (lawn bowling) and badminton. 

To prepare, Thompson is training weekly at his local hospital’s health and wellness center.  

Thompson encouraged all veterans, whether or not they have been injured to “get out and participate” and live an active and healthy life. 

For more information about the National Veteran Wheelchair Games, visit the organization’s website.

Read comments
Tags: Army National GuardChallenged Athlete FoundationCOVID-19Department of Veteran AffairsDepartment of Veterans AffairsNational Veteran Wheelchair GamesVAVeteransWheelchair games
Lizann Lightfoot

Lizann Lightfoot

Lizann Lightfoot is a military spouse, mom of four kids, and the voice behind the Seasoned Spouse blog. She authored the book 'Welcome to Rota' to help military families living overseas. Her favorite places to travel are in Europe, but she's happy being anywhere that her family is together!

Related Posts

Guardsmen, reservists who retire early could get cheaper health care under Senate bill

by Military.com
2 weeks ago
0
Airmen of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing take part in a 9/11 20th anniversary ceremony in Sioux City, Iowa September 11, 2021. Ter Haar/U.S. Air National Guard

Guardsmen and reservists who retire before age 60 would be eligible for low-cost military health care plans under a bi-partisan a...

Read more

Paper: Decomposing bodies, handling remains among top stressors of COVID-19 mission

by AmeriForce Exclusive
3 weeks ago
0
Spc. Dylan Messina from Albany, N.Y., assigned to the New York Army National Guard, plays with Dakota, a Labrador retriever service dog provided by Puppies Behind Bars, in New York City, April 21, 2020. Photo by Senior Airman Sean Madden

A survey found that talking with other guardsmen was the best way to relieve stress after being involved with the...

Read more

5 ways I balance being a reservist and a mom

by Emily Solberg
3 weeks ago
0
balance

As both a mother and an Army reservist, I'm always striving to find balance between each role. And sometimes that...

Read more

Psychological health directors discuss readiness impacts

by National Guard Bureau
4 weeks ago
0
psychological health

Air National Guard directors of psychological health focused on best practices, trends & changes to psychological health needs for airmen.

Read more

YogaFit’s warrior’s program aids those dealing with trauma

by AmeriForce Exclusive
1 month ago
0
YogaFit

YogaFit for Warriors is a trauma-informed program designed for those who have PTSD or a desire to help those with...

Read more

OPINION: Don’t just thank Iraq War veterans for their sacrifice. Apologize to them on behalf of our country. 

by AmeriForce Exclusive
2 months ago
0
Cara Light chats with Dennis Fritz about the much appreciated assistance she and her husband, Staff Sgt. Steve Light, have received June 19 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Sergeant was the lone vehicle survior in a roadside explosion in Afganistan. Mr. Fritz is the Walter Reed Army Medical Center recovery care coordinator. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Stan Parker)

March 20, 2023, marked 20 years of hell for countless veterans and their families, who struggle with the effects of...

Read more

Ads

Let's get social

The RNG Drill

News delivered directly to your inbox

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL
  • GET THE NEWSLETTER

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • PITCH US
  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2021 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

No Result
View All Results
  • NEWS
  • YOUR CAREER
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • RECRUITING & RETENTION
    • ENTREPRENEUR
    • TRANSITION
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • PARENTING
  • OFF DUTY
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • TRAVEL
  • HEALTH
    • FITNESS
    • MEDICINE
    • MENTAL HEALTH
  • SPORTS
  • OPINION
  • HISTORY
  • MONEY
    • PERSONAL FINANCE
    • BENEFITS
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
    • GET THE NEWSLETTER
  • ABOUT US
    • MEET OUR TEAM
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • PITCH US
    • CONTACT

© 2022 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW