Since 2014, SPIRE Academy has proudly hosted the Annual Buckeye Wheelchair Games. The 12th annual event, organized by the Paralyzed Veterans of America—Buckeye Chapter, brought together Ohio Veterans for an exhilarating adaptive sports competition from April 20-22, 2023.

The Buckeye Wheelchair Games is a non-sanctioned event for Veterans who plan to compete at the National Wheelchair Games and provides a platform for these adaptive sport athletes to showcase their abilities and compete in various sports.

This year’s games featured events including:

• Air guns
• Bowling 
• Field events
• Billiards
• Slalom
• Swimming
• Table tennis
• Track
• Boccia
• Weightlifting
• Archery
• Disc golf

Over 60 athletes from all over Ohio to demonstrate their passion and dedication to adaptive sports.

The Academy offers twice-weekly training sessions to support Ohio Veterans in their athletic pursuits and to empower them to excel in their chosen sports.

The Buckeye Wheelchair Games showcases the importance of adaptive sports in fostering both physical and emotional well-being. The games also underscore the spirit of resilience, determination and camaraderie among Ohio’s Veteran community.

Participant Tiffany Davison affirmed this saying, “Being in a chair isn’t my ending…It’s a different chapter in life… Wherever you are, you can take something from every game and roll with it.”