Paralyzed Veterans of America Recognizes National Host Sponsors of 2012 National Veterans Wheelchair Games

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) is proud to recognize the National Host Sponsors for the 32nd National Veterans Wheelchair Games (Games), which begin today in Richmond, Va., and run through June 30. Altria Group, Invacare Corporation, UPS and the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System will serve as the National Host Sponsors for the world's largest annual wheelchair sports event.

"Though their generous support of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, our National Host Sponsors are playing an important role in what is often a life-changing experience for many of our participants," said Bill Lawson, national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America. "We thank Altria, Invacare, UPS and the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System for supporting our veteran wheelchair athletes and serving as National Host Sponsors for this year's Games."

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games, presented annually by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans, are open to all U.S. military veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition as a result of spinal cord injury, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility impairments. The Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center and Virginia Mid-Atlantic Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America will host the 2012 Games.

Veterans at the Games will compete in 17 events: air guns, archery, basketball, bowling, field, handcycling, a motorized wheelchair rally, nine ball, power soccer, quad rugby, slalom, softball, swimming, table tennis, track, trapshooting and weightlifting. This year's Games will also feature an exhibition game of boccia ball. Athletes compete in all events against others with similar athletic ability, competitive experience or age. For more information about the 32nd National Veterans Wheelchair Games, go to www.wheelchairgames.va.gov.

Paralyzed Veterans of America was founded by a group of seriously injured American heroes from the "Greatest Generation" of World War II. They created a nonprofit organization to meet the challenges that they faced back in the 1940s — from a medical community not ready to treat them to an inaccessible world. For more than 66 years, Paralyzed Veterans' national office and its 34 chapters across the nation have been making America a better place for all veterans and people with disabilities. (www.pva.org)

SOURCE Paralyzed Veterans of America