TAMPA, Fla. — The National Veterans Wheelchair Games are happening now in New Orleans and continue through the weekend.
It's the world's largest annual wheelchair sports and rehab event solely for military veterans and a local athlete is hoping to win big.
Getting back in the game is the key for so many of our wounded veterans who really thrive off of competition. For many, it's a reason to go through some tough rehabilitation. Mark Lalli is a retired U.S. Army veteran. He was seriously injured in a training accident in 2007 that left him paralyzed.
He did years of rehab at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa where he was introduced to hand cycling. That's just one of many types of therapies they offer at the V.A., thanks in part to a local nonprofit called Operation Helping Hand.
Doug Fishman is the Chairman.
"We support veterans an active duty members and their families as well in helping them with the rehabilitation programs," Fishman said. "Specifically, we've been helpful with the music therapy, A/V therapy, virtual reality therapy, art therapy, all different modes of rehabilitation that we help with."
Mark is excited to be competing in this year's National Veterans Wheelchair Games. He will be cycling, but also competing in archery, rifle and boccia. Mark's dream is to compete in the Paralympics in 2028.