It’s been 30 years since doctors diagnosed Plant City resident Mary Anne Henry with multiple sclerosis.
The disease had been in her body for at least 10 years before that, too, they said.
“I started noticing symptoms before they diagnosed me,” Henry, 69, remembers.
Then, in December 1983, a severe car crash accelerated the symptoms. As the years passed, they worsened, and today, Henry, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, uses a wheelchair for the majority of her day-to-day life.
But, instead of placing restrictions on her life, Henry’s diagnosis actually opened up a whole new world — the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the world’s largest annual multi-sport wheelchair event. Henry has actively competed in the event since the mid-1990s. She has taken the last four years off but will return July 13 to 18, when the event comes to Tampa. It will be just the second time Florida has hosted the Games — and the first time Henry will compete in her home state.
“I was determined I was doing it this year,” she says. “The memory of getting to compete in it in my own state is something I’ll never forget.
“I’ve missed it,” Henry says of the Games. “You take away such great memories and meet wonderful friends through it. It’s just a wonderful event.”
SETTING AN EXAMPLE
The Games have taken Henry all over the country.
“Alaska was fantastic and by far my favorite, but all the games are great,” she says.
For Henry, the games aren’t only about competing and winning medals but also the friendships that are made with other competitors and the example that competing in the Games sets for others.
“When these things happen, some people want to give up,” she says. “I want to show them that doing these things are possible and tell them that they can still do these kinds of things. There are a lot of people that aren’t aware of these games.”
Henry still goes to the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital for physical therapy. She has seen veterans both young and old learn how to adapt and live with their disabilities.
“The VA hospital is fantastic, and I’ve met some wonderful people there,” she says. “To see other people that are going through the same things you went through, you really connect with them and it makes you thankful for what you do have.”
MULTI-SPORT ATHLETE
Henry has competed in various events at the Games.
This year’s Games will feature 18 medal-awarding events, ranging from quad rugby to adaptive water skiing, a first in the Games’ history.
Henry will compete in three sports this year — discus, motorized rally and ramp bowling.
Discus is similar to the Olympic throwing sport. Competitors must throw from their wheelchair, and throws are judged on both length and accuracy.
Ramp bowling is like traditional bowling but uses metal ramps for competitors to roll the ball down the lane while seated.
“You want to get a strike, just like in normal bowling, but you use the ramp to gauge your ball down the lane,” she says.
The motorized rally is the most unique. Contestants travel at their leisure in groups using their motorized chairs. There are 10 checkpoints along the route, at which contestants are each asked general-knowledge questions.
“It could be about baseball or something to do with the area, or anything really,” Henry says.
The discus and the motorized rally both will be held at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In her last competition four years ago, Henry brought home five gold medals, the most among her Paralyzed Veterans of America team. This year, she decided just to do three events but will consider competing in air rifle again and possibly take up cycling if she decides to purchase an adapted bike.
In addition to the summer Games, Henry also has participated in the winter National Veterans Wheelchair Games, as well, where skiing is offered.
“Doing it at the Games was the first time I ever skied,” she says.
Henry will compete in Class 3 for the upcoming Games. Competitors are divided in classes based on their disabilities.
“It’s really amazing what some of these people are able to accomplish,” Henry says, noting that competitors range from young recent veterans currently rehabbing to older veterans that have been competing for years. “Lots of these veterans practice and practice in one field. They are all absolutely amazing.”
IF YOU GO
National Veterans Wheelchair Games
WHEN: July 13 to 18
WHERE: Tampa. For a full event schedule and list of locations, click here.
COST: The Games are free, and the public is invited to attend and cheer on the athletes.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: About 3,000 volunteers are needed the entire week. Volunteers can be as young as age 14 and will have a variety of duties. Visit wheelchairgames.va.gov for an application or call volunteers chair Camilla Thompson, (813) 979-2000, Ext. 6580.
ABOUT THE GAMES
With more than 600 veterans expected to compete, the 33rd National Veteran Wheelchair Games is the world’s largest annual multi-sport wheelchair event. Athletes come from across the United States, Great Britain and Puerto Rico, and include former servicemen and women who have served from World War II to Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, from every branch of military service.
There are 18 medal-awarding athletic events in the Games including handcycling, basketball, softball, weightlifting, track, field, swimming, quad rugby and more. Exhibition events include adaptive tennis and a first in Games’ history, adaptive water skiing. Sporting events will take place at the Tampa Convention Center, the Tampa Bay Times Forum and other area venues.
The Games are co-presented by the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, in Tampa, and the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America are co-hosting the 2013 event locally.
WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?
MS is a chronic disease that damages the nerves in the spinal cord and brain, as well as the optic nerves. Sclerosis means scarring, and people with MS develop multiple areas of scar tissue in response to the nerve damage. Depending on where the damage occurs, symptoms may include problems with muscle control, balance, vision or speech.
Source: WebMD.com