Amid the din inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, one of the locations for the 2024 National Veterans Wheelchair Games, Eugene Palmer gripped a 4.5 millimeter air pistol and rested his elbows on an aluminum table. Closing his left eye, he drew a bead on a small black circle centered on a paper target 32 feet away. He gently squeezed the trigger. The release of compressed air propelled a small pellet forward, penetrating the small black circle.
Palmer, a New Orleans native, is one of hundreds of Veterans participating in the Wheelchair Games, which are taking place in his hometown. Palmer receives care from Southeast Louisiana VA and is a member of the Gulf States Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Competing in numerous events
This year’s Wheelchair Games is Palmer’s second competition. Along with air pistol, he’s competing in boccia, nine ball, bowling, shot put, cornhole and disc golf among others.
“This is my first time shooting an air pistol, but I shot an air rifle in my first Wheelchair Games,” he said.
Palmer first heard about the Wheelchair Games several years ago while he was hospitalized at the medical center following back surgery. A physical therapist described the games and asked him if was interested.
“I said yes. Then he asked me what sports I’d like to sign up for. I wasn’t strong enough yet to compete in basketball because of my surgery. But three years later, I’m capable of doing all of this,” he shared.
For Palmer, participating in wheelchair sports is a way to focus on his daily health, both physically and mentally. “Getting involved with the games is uplifting. It lets people know that you still exist and you still want to be here. It helps with my rehabilitation,” he said.
Palmer also finds it to be uplifting to be around fellow Veterans. “We encourage each other just by being around and talking to each other. We get things off our shoulders that we’ve held back for a while.”
Palmer’s advice to other Veterans about the Wheelchair Games is, “Come on out and join. It’s an emotional thing when you want to do something and then you see you can do it. It’s a great feeling. You’re not forgotten. You’re a person who is still surviving.”
