Letter to Shirley

What follows is an e-mail from my friend, Larry Binger, which he sent as an attachment called "Letter to Shirley'.

Dang, I feel like such a big naive dolt sometimes:

Thank You Shirley,

But again, this isn't really about me, it's about letting the people know about the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. When the Veterans Administration and the Paralyzed Veterans of America sends out the athletes’ information and press releases to the news media in our respective states during the games, it would be great if the media would print it or show it on the news and let the people know what a positive thing this is.

The games are nearly 30 years old and most of American doesn’t even know they exist.

When I tell people I compete, they immediately think I am in the "Special Olympics”?? Not even close. I blame this on a total lack of education because of the media.

After all, the American people read about these men and women when they get deployed and when they are killed or seriously wounded.

Wouldn't it be great if the American people could read about these special people whom they expect to defend our country at any cost are rebuilding their shattered lives through sports? The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is just one event offered by the Paralyzed Veterans of America that allows these heroes to do just that.

I think every state should send a media representative to the games to spend several days in a wheelchair with these veterans and get a first hand look at what actually transpires there. Sports is the main focus but what these men and women really get out of the event is the strength, courage and knowledge that they can live normal lives even after all they have endured.

Think about it, if these men and women can still compete in sports after a horrific disability, than they can carry that strength, courage and knowledge into their every day lives.

America has a short-term memory when it comes to our military men and women. We are heroes when we go, but we are ( ? ) when we come home mentally or physically wounded.

That nice boy or girl who used live next door is now something else and America tends to put on the blinders.

This is what we used to do with our family members who suffered from mental illness or physical disabilities in the "Victorian Age" - we locked them up in asylums or kept them in the house so no one would have to see them. Thus we avoided embarrassment to ourselves and our families.

We as Americans claim to be enlightened, modern and sophisticated. But when it comes to dealing with some one who has a disability on a daily basis, what we really are is blind and clueless due to the lack of education.

However, if the media doesn't let the general population about this event and these amazing people / athletes and their truly inspiring stories of survival and recovery than America will continue to have a short-term memory.

“When America is threatened or in need, she demands so much of her young. In return, she gives little or nothing when they have answered her call and they are in need.”

Did you know that there is a movie about birth of the Paralyzed Veterans of America? ? It's called: "THE MEN"

“The legendary Marlon Brando makes his stunning cinematic debut in this film as an ex-soldier physically and emotionally wounded by the menace of war. Stuck at a veteran's hospital with debilitating injuries, he and the men around him must find a way to battle the bitterness that threatens to overwhelm their very souls.” Co-stars Richard Erdman
and Virginia Farmer. Named by the National Board of Review as one of the 10 best films of 1950."

This is how the PVA – Paralyzed Veterans of America was founded.

Sorry, I get a little long-winded and protective of these folks, my brothers and sisters in arms – my fellow veterans.

Shirley, to summarize this I leave you with a poem I wrote several years ago about these men and women and the National Veterans Wheelchair Games:

Onward Wheelchair Soldiers

Roll onward wheelchair soldiers into the light of day

For the battle we fight is not one of war but for the strength and courage to say

We are best at what we do, at home, at work, at play

We meet each challenge the best we can, the all American way

Let all the wheelchair soldiers, assembled here today
Summon up that strength and courage as we go out to play

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games is but one way we can say
We are the wheelchair soldiers and we are here to stay

Though our weapons be the shot-put, javelin and the disk
That each and every event we choose may hold a certain risk

It is with strength and courage that we do battle on this field
And carry the banner of sportsmanship as our golden shield

Let all the wheelchair soldiers assembled here today
Show the world, that we are the best at home, at work, at play

Roll onward wheelchair soldiers into the light of day.
_________________
Written by: Larry G. BingerU.S. Navy Disabled Veteran and Wheelchair Athlete2005

Thank you Shirley for all your help.

Larry