Volunteers Take the 2013 National Wheelchair Games by Storm
Tampa, Florida (PRWEB) July 22, 2013 -- 101 Mobility Tampa owner and operator Dennis Clouser was lucky enough to lend a helping hand in the extensive setup process. “It was so inspiring,” he said of his first Wheelchair Games experience. “These people aren’t in wheelchairs, even though they are, you know? [The coordinator] Roger was barking orders and rolling around faster than anyone else could walk. It was an eye-opening experience.”
Mike Ortiz, a 101 Mobility Tampa service technician, had a similar experience. “It was liberating to see how all of these disabled veterans adapted and were able to use their scooters and power chairs in a sporting event. It was definitely a cool thing.”
In addition to organizing games, keeping score, and handing out water, volunteers got the chance to hear dozens of moving stories from the Veterans. Ortiz was lucky enough to share a meal with a National Wheelchair Games participant. “Having a conversation at lunch with a stranger leaves a certain impact on you.” And no kidding—these athletes use wheelchairs because of spinal cord injuries, neurological conditions, amputations, and other mobility impairments, none of which stopped them from competing like the warriors they all are.
Despite it being their first Wheelchair Games, Clouser and Ortiz were able to dive into the process fairly quickly. “People with yellow shirts were the employees, and every single one of them knew what they were doing. All I had to do was follow their lead,” Clouser recalls. "Thanks to all of the coordinators and philanthropists of the day, the event went as smooth as ever with a great turnout—from the athletes to the fans in the stands."
Both Clouser and Ortiz plan on volunteering for the next Wheelchair Games. “In this industry, it’s not about a paycheck. It’s being able to help people out.”
For more information on how you can volunteer at the next Wheelchair Games, go to pva.org/games2013.
101 Mobility is a full-service sales, service, and installation franchise provider of a complete line of mobility and accessibility products and equipment, including stair lifts, auto lifts, ramps, porch lifts, patient lifts, power wheelchairs, scooters and more. Short and long-term rentals are also available for home, office, and institution. By working with patients to identify which home health care devices best suit each individual’s needs, 101 Mobility provides an alternative to group homes and rehabilitation centers by increasing accessibility and allowing clients to live self-sufficiently in their homes across the United States.
The 33rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games kicked off July 13 by introducing the Wheelchair Games to the Tampa community which is hosting the event this year. The Games, which run here through July 18, are presented each year by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). The is the second time the Games have been held in Florida; Miami hosted the event in 1991.
Monique Williams, 101 Mobility, http://101mobility.com, 910.332.4791, [email protected]
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