Supporting Our Veterans: Sponsoring the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games

By Becca Watts

September 5, 2014

On Aug 12-17, 2014, the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games were hosted in

Philadelphia, and I had the opportunity to attend some of the events. The Games, presented by

the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, are the largest

annual multi-event sports and rehabilitation program in the world.

The six-day event saw nearly 600 athletes from across the country (and a delegation from Great

Britain) compete in 17 different events, including

basketball, quad rugby, and track and field. Highmark

and United Concordia Dental, part of Highmark Health,

sponsor this event annually because of their long-

standing commitment to the military community and

support for the Games mission: to improve the quality

of life for veterans with disabilities and foster better

health through sports competition.

Veteran-Athletes Join Together – for Sports and for

Each Other

During the opening ceremonies, the veterans entered the convention center as part of a state-

by-state parade. Some were older, others were young; some were assisted by service dogs,

others by their young children and some not at all.

All in all, it was a meaningful and inspiring moment. Sharon Duke, Director of Government

Affairs for United Concordia Dental, who was also in attendance, added:

“It’s inspiring to watch these amazing athletes compete in virtually any sport you can imagine.

As a veteran myself, I’m incredibly proud that Highmark and United Concordia Dental have

Two participants in the 34th National Veterans

Wheelchair Games chat after finishing a race.

Knowing how much the athletes have given of

themselves in defense of our country makes this

competition all the more real – and inspiring.

continued our tradition of, and commitment to, honoring those who have given so much to serve

our country.”

Since these games are used in part as a rehabilitation program, they provide an opportunity for

newly disabled veterans to gain sports skills and meet other wheelchair athletes. According to a

Games publication, one quarter of the 600+ athletes each year are competing in an organized

wheelchair sports competition for the first time.

The sportsmanship and camaraderie among the competitors was obvious and touching to me.

Veterans easily switched from competitors to friends every time a race ended, and all of the

volunteers and fans were full of encouragement for novice

athletes and U.S. Paralympic team hopefuls alike. It was a

sight to see.

If anyone happens to be reading from the Dallas area, I

highly recommend you check out the event when it’s

hosted in your city next year!

You also can read about the history of the Games on the

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ website.

Welcoming Veterans into the Workforce

Why do Highmark and United Concordia Dental sponsor

the Games? Easy. Our companies’ goals are similar to those of the Games – we aim to improve

the health and well-being of individuals in the communities we serve. This includes our country’s

military veterans and our practices and programs reflect that commitment.

We believe that they bring leadership skills, commitment and discipline that translate to

exceptional personal and career opportunities.

Athletes from all over the country participated in

several different events, including tennis,

basketball, quad rugby, and track and field.

Veteran-athletes in the Games use wheelchairs

for sports competition as a result of spinal cord

injuries, amputations, certain neurological

conditions, and other health issues that have

impaired their mobility.

Be sure to check out our Veteran Voices series on this

blog to learn more about our veteran-employees and

how their time in the military prepared them for their

careers with Highmark Health companies.

National Veterans Wheelchair

Games Video

This video from Paralyzed

Veterans explores the traditional

sport of boccia and how it’s played

at the Games.

The video also features interviews

with Sharon Duke, an Air Force

veteran, and Michael Warfel,

government affairs leaders at

Highmark Health.