More than just fun and games for Veterans

Adaptive sports recreation therapists at the Richmond VA Medical Center hosted the 2nd Annual Richmond Tournament of Champions here September 25-27, 2023. Veterans competing in the games tested their skills at 9-ball billiards, cycling, air rifle marksmanship, bocce ball, disc golf, and bowling.
Richmond VA recreation therapists, Jennifer Vass, Nicole Shuman, and other rec therapy team members organized the multi-day event. The idea originated when many of the games VA patients were accustomed to attending were cancelled during the COVID pandemic.
“We have a group of Veterans who love to travel to national Veterans' events,” Vass said. “During COVID, that stopped.”
The logistics of getting Veterans and staff to these events during this period became much more complex and, in many cases, ceased altogether.
Veteran athletes who were unable to travel for their beloved games became disheartened.
Having gained ample experience working and attending many VA national games, Vass and Shuman decided to take matters into their own hands by organizing an event on their home turf.
“It’s exciting to be able to have this here, and it’s good practice for our Veterans who are going to the big games,” Shuman said.
She also stated that these games provide an opportunity to those Veterans who are not able to travel to compete, as well as introducing new patients and many of the facility’s inpatients to enjoy the experience.
With just three months of preparation, the therapists were set to kick off the three-day tournament with 28 competitors and six separate events.
One of the main goals of these games is to help those Veterans who are recovering from injury to regain independence and quality of life. Vass and Shuman both remarked that one such person who participated in the games is competitive recumbent racer, Mike Brooks. Brooks was injured in a cycling accident and did physical rehabilitation at the Richmond VA hospital.
“I think it was four or five years ago that we gave him his first trike through the equipment program,” Shuman said. “He put 8,000 miles on it.”
Through hard work, treatment and physical therapy, Brooks was able to return to a sport that he loves.
“Being part of helping someone get that ability back is extremely exciting and rewarding,” Shuman added.
This year’s event concluded with a fellowship dinner and awards ceremony for participants and their families. The ceremony included special guest speakers and awards for the top three competitors in each sport.
Matthew Reed competed in five of the six events and took home the coveted Triple Threat Championship crown for being the top competitor in three events.
“I’m legally blind,” Reed said. “Through Nicole’s [Shuman] assistance, and the whole team’s assistance, it truly became an adaptive experience for me.”
Reed appreciated the opportunity to be able to compete with his friends at the VA.
“The team here is just fantastic,” he said. “It’s so much fun to be part of this adaptive sports program.”
Vass, Shuman, and the rest of their team already have their sights set on next year's games. Their goal is to expand the Tournament of Champions with more participants, more fellowship, and more fun.