The Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
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The United States Association of Blind Athletes
Blinded Military Members and Veterans Invited to USABA National
Sports Festival; Blind Athletes Also Set To Compete In Inaugural State Games of
the West in Seven Sports
THE UNITED STATES ASSOCIATION OF BLIND ATHLETES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2008
Contact: Betsy Heckert:
media@usaba.
( Colorado Springs, Colo. ) – The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA),
in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Blind
Rehabilitation Service, the Blinded Veterans Association and the Injured Marine
Semper Fi Fund is extending an invitation for blind and visually impaired
service members and veterans to participate in the USABA National Sports
Festival to be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado, July 22-28, 2008.
In order to meet the growing rehabilitation needs of our military members and
veterans who incurred vision loss as a result of military service, USABA will
provide sports clinics with instruction from Paralympic athletes and USABA
National coaches in the sports of judo, wrestling, track & field, swimming,
powerlifting, tandem cycling and goalball (a team sport specially designed for
blind and visually impaired athletes).
"In alignment with USABA's mission to enhance the lives of people who are blind
and visually impaired through sport and physical activity, USABA is excited and
honored to provide our wounded service members and veterans, the opportunity to
experience how sport can lead to a more active lifestyle despite vision loss.",
said USABA Executive Director Mark Lucas. "USABA is proud to expose these men
and women to new ways for them to maintain an active lifestyle while
participating in recreation, sports and competitive sport." said Lucas.
In addition to the 20-25 military members and veterans expected to attend the
USABA National Sports Festival, an additional 50-60 additional blind and
visually impaired athletes from across the nation are also expected attend.
Coaches and Paralympic athletes will also instruct participants on how to adapt
each sport for a blind or visually impaired athlete and how to successfully
advocate and integrate each athlete into local community-based sports programs.
The Festival, held at Colorado College, July 22-25, will culminate with blind
and visually impaired athletes integrating and competing in the Inaugural 2008
State Games of the West, hosted by the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, July
24-27. The State Games of the West features more than 8,000 (sighted)athletes
from 13 Western states, competing in 31 sports. USABA will compete in these
Games alongside their USABA peers and sighted athletes in judo, wrestling, track
& field, 5k run, swimming, powerlifting and tandem cycling.
For more information on the USABA National Sports Festival and to receive a
registration packet call Mark Lucas at (719) 630-0422 or go to
www.usaba.org.
The entry form is available here.
Information on the 2008 State Games of the West is available at:
www.stategamesofthewest.org
About USABA: Since its founding in 1976, USABA, a community-based organization
of the United States Olympic Committee, has reached thousands of blind
individuals. The organization has emerged as more than just a world-class
trainer of blind athletes, it has become a champion of the abilities of
Americans who are legally blind. USABA's Mission : to enhance the lives of blind
and visually impaired people by providing the opportunity for participation in
sports and physical activity. For more information, go to Web
www.usaba.org
About BVA: Since it founding in 1945, BVA, the only congressionally chartered
organization dedicated to the issues of blinded veterans has advocated for
blinded veteran benefits and quality of life improvements. The BVA Mission is:
To promote the welfare of blinded veterans so that, notwithstanding their
disabilities, they may take their rightful place in the community and work with
their fellow citizens toward the creation of a peaceful world. To preserve and
strengthen a spirit of fellowship among blinded veterans so that they may give
mutual aid and assistance to one another.
http://www.bva.
About Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund: Established in May 2004, the Injured Marine
Semper Fi Fund is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization that has provided over
7,500 grants totaling over $18.5 million in assistance to our Nation's wounded
heroes and families.
End of Document