Visually Impaired Veterans Shine at National Golden Age Games
In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, a team of Mid-South military veterans, the Bluff City Tigers, competed and excelled at the 2024 National Veteran Golden Age Games in Salt Lake City. Hailing from the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers Jr. VA Medical Center (VA Memphis), these athletes, including several with visual impairments, showcased their skills and sportsmanship, inspiring all who witnessed their remarkable achievements.Overcoming Adversity, Achieving Excellence
Tapping into Their Senses
Seventy-year-old Navy veteran Calvin Poole, who lost most of his vision to glaucoma, demonstrated the unique techniques employed by visually impaired athletes. "They tap the goal for me," Poole explained, "tap-tap-tap with a cane or something. They'll tap it. I hear where the tap is coming from, and just like a bat, you hone-in on it and let it rip!" This innovative approach allowed Poole to excel in events like bocce ball and basketball, ultimately earning a silver medal in the free-throw competition.
Defying Expectations
Fellow Navy veteran Terry Richardson, who has been totally blind since a rare brain tumor destroyed his optic nerves while serving in Desert Storm, proved to be the "GOAT of the Golden Games." Richardson, 55, not only won gold in shuffleboard, but he also outperformed a competitor with partial vision. Expanding his horizons, Richardson also brought home a bronze medal in disc golf, a sport he had never played before joining the Bluff City Tigers.
Finding Purpose and Camaraderie
For Army veteran Thonda Taylor, the Golden Games provided more than just athletic competition. The 65-year-old found that training with the team and traveling to Utah helped ease his PTSD. "It was really just a lot of camaraderie," Taylor shared. "I have really opened up more because I'm really an introvert and large groups of people cause issues for me. But working with a group of men and women here at the VA has really been an awesome experience."
Renewed Sense of Purpose
Retired Marine Demetrius Butler, 65, was already in peak physical condition, doing 100 sit-ups a day and running three miles in 22 minutes. At the Golden Games, he won a silver medal in pickleball and forged new, meaningful friendships. "Felt like family again," he said, "felt like we had purpose in life. Felt like we could do more than just be couch potatoes and sit at home and just wither away. I thank God the VA allows to get into the games, it gives us a better outlook on life and not think the second chapter of our lives has ended."
Coaching and Camaraderie
Recreational therapist and first-year coach Allison Nolan played a crucial role in the Bluff City Tigers' success. Nolan led the team's weekly two-hour training sessions, which Butler described as "such a joy the whole year." Nolan's dedication and guidance were instrumental in helping the veterans overcome their challenges and thrive at the Golden Games. "Just seeing what people are overcoming to get there, whether that be a physical disability, their mental health, PTSD, seeing people just going there and thriving, it's amazing," Nolan shared.
Hometown Advantage Awaits
After their impressive performance in Salt Lake City, the Bluff City Tigers are now set to host the 2025 National Veteran Golden Age Games in Memphis. Army veteran Alexander Cade, 70, who took home a ribbon in disc golf, is already gearing up for the next competition. "You better start training now," he said to other veterans around the U.S., "and training hard because we're going to be ready for you. I'm fired up!"The 2025 National Veteran Golden Age Games will take place in Memphis from May 31 to June 5. To qualify for the Bluff City Tigers, veterans over the age of 55 must be receiving their healthcare at VA Memphis. Interested veterans can consult their primary healthcare provider to request a referral to the Recreation Therapy department, where they can learn more about joining the team.
