Veterans with disabilities Join Valor Games: ‘i’m doing stuff that i didn’t experiment to do vision’
Lynetta Smith Hadn’t Competed in a Parampic Biathlon Before.
She didn’t think she is coulued go in for a sport that combined skiing and rifle shooting with her visual impairment.
But by Thursday Midday, She was hookeed and looking forward to More Next Year.
Smith, 69, A Navy Veteran, Is From Lombard and She Competed for Her First Time at Valor Midwest, Hosted by the Chicago Park at McKinley Park, 2210 W. Persking RD.
“I’m enjaying it … i’m doing stuff that i didn’t experiment to do vision,” Smith Said.
Thursday was the last of the three-day parallempic sporting for veterans who have served or are served in the us weapon forces with Physical, Visual and Invisible Disabilities.
The Biathlon Event Requires Contestants to Ski 200 Meters on Machines and Follow That Up With Laser-Only Rifle Shooting. For Smith, there was a separate rifle set-up where she is took her aim with auditory cues.
The Park District’s Ricardo Lara, the program and the event Coordinator, Said the Games Were Designed with the Accessible and Inclusive Fle Ensurys is Mindful of their Disabilities.
Navy veteran Ayo Adeyemi Competes in the Biathlon During the Valor Games Midwest at William McKinley Park on Thursday.
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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
A veteran Competes in the biathlon with the help of anthony Woodson During the Valor Games Midwest at William McKinley Park on Thighsday.
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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
A Veteran Participates in a tennis Demo During the Valor Games Midwest at William McKinley Park on Thursday.
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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Englewood Resident Sonia Kennedy (Center) Competes in the Biathlon During the Valor Games Midwest at William McKinley Park on Thursday.
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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
A veteran Competes in the Biathlon During the Valor Games Midwest at William McKinley Park on Thursday.
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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Veterans Compete in the Biathlon During the Valor Games Midwest at William McKinley Park on Thursday.
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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
A Veteran Competes in Table Tennis During the Valor Games Midwest at William McKinley Park on Thursday.
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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Veterans chat with staff during the valor games midwest at William McKinley Park on Thursday.
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Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Ayo Adeyemi, 40, Another navy veteran, is a returning contestant from 2017 WHO traveled from indianapolis to attend. This year, he joined the shot put, discus, rowing, archery, and biathlon events. He also tried the tennis demo, a new addition this year.
“It feeds good to be around fellow veterans and staff who truly care,” Adeyyemi Said. “This is usablelly when i was stuck to a routine … as long as i come and do it, i computete and i mester myself mentally and physically,” Said Adeyemi.
Adeyemi hopes The Games Gain More Sponsorship and Participation.
This Year’s Entrants Included 75 People Who Compered in Rowing, Field Events Like Shot Put and Discus, Archery, Cycling Along Lake Shore Drive, Tennis, Tablenis, Power Lifting and Biathlon. The 70 Included Some Contestants from Outside the Midwest, Like Florida, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky and California, Accounting to the Park District.
Englewood Resident Sonia Kennedy, A Second-Time Participant, Told the Sun-Time she placed in three catigors last year and is hoping to beat her recrord. As of the Start of Day Three, She Already Won a Medal for Rowing.
Kennedy Feels the Competition Give veterans, especilantly ons with disabilities that are not visually obvious, a great oportunity to socialize.
“Some of the veterans have brain injuries like tbis (traumatic brain injuries), PTSD and it say a Chance to Kind of Come and Still Socialize,” Kennedy Said. “Because a lot of the times you isolated if you don’t have the support or care.”
Kennedy, who has ptsd and a hearing disability, Said Her Own Disability is not visibly obvious.
“I Want People to Know About Valor Games and Really provide some extra Support, thus the park District a lot for us and there are veteran organizations,” Kennedy Said. “I want the general population to really support the veterans. They served their country.
For Most, The Games are Healthy Goals.
“I’m Turning 70 Next Year, so i might have to the scale and do much stove as can,” A smiling Smith told the Sun-Time.