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Each year, organizers of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games try to pick a sport that represents the state the games are hosted in. For Minnesota, they chose something that honors the state’s outdoor spaces and a certain folktale legend.

“Paul Bunyan,” exclaimed Minnesota veteran Bruce Henderson. “I mean, you got a guy that chopped down 10,000 trees with one swing.”

In the Minneapolis Convention Center’s exhibition hall, the thwomp of axes on a wooden target and cheers from the crowd fill the space with sharp energy. It’s Henderson’s first time trying axe throwing and he’s loving it.

“It’s interesting because you’re holding something that’s heavy on the top, long handle, and when you go to throw it, it’s not about strength,” Henderson said.  “It’s about the ability to make that wonderful thing rotate to where it sticks in the wood.”

Since 1981, the Wheelchair Games have provided a space for disabled veterans to gather together and rehabilitate through adaptive sports. It’s the world’s largest event of its kind. The last time the Department of Veteran Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America hosted the games in Minnesota was 2005. Now, 20 years later, the event’s co-director Jen Purser said she’s happy to see the games continue its mission here.

“We hope we bring some awareness that anybody can adapt any sport, that anyone can play it, and that, if you’re in your community, come play with us,” Purser said. “Whether it’s axe throwing, cycling, disc golf, whatever it is. You know, we just want to be in there. We want to be inclusive, and that any sport can be adapted.”

This year, 550 veterans in their 20s to their 90s will compete together in 23 games. About 50 are from Minnesota. The exhibition games are non-medaling. That means there’s no competition yet for axe throwing, but that’s part of what these games are about — trying new things.

“We’re introducing them to new cities, and it’s great for the economy of the city too, because it may be that we’re bringing in several veterans who have never been here before, and the anticipation that they’ll come back, we’re showing them the accessibility,” Purser said.

Purser said the games take a little over two years to plan the schedule, gather volunteers, and prepare for the accessibility needs of the host city and hotels.

Karl Olson spent a decade in the submarine navy before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He’s now the treasurer for the local board of Paralyzed Veterans of America and the originator of the axe throwing idea for this year's games.

“That’s the first time I’ve done it,” Olson said. “So I actually got real excited. I want to do it again, and so I hope this does become an event, because then I’ll be practicing a whole lot more for it.”

This is Olson’s fifth Wheelchair Games, and he said one reason he keeps coming back is the connectedness and the brotherhood.

“You’re all vets, and if you’re all got a disability, you just connect. And it don’t matter who you are, where you’re from, you can be sitting next to a guy you’ve never met, ever in your life, and within three minutes, now you’re talking like your old friends,” he said.

After the Games, organizers will survey the veterans to see how they liked axe throwing, and if they loved it, it might be in the next Games. 

In the convention center, Henderson looks on as his fellow service members throw axes and mill around to other activities. He served 23 years in the Army and has been retired since 2007. He said he’s grateful to have this kind of community.

“I don’t want to cry, but it’s so incredible how they help you and get you to this point,” he said. “Man, if it wasn’t for the Minneapolis VA SCI center, I don’t know where I’d be today, so I’m extremely happy. I’m fortunate, and I just hope other people get out and take risks. I don’t care if you’re in a chair or not, take risks, try something.”

The Wheelchair Games continue until July 22 and are open to the public.

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This week, 550 athletes are in Minneapolis for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games — the world’s largest wheelchair sport and rehabilitation event for military veterans. Each year, a new sport is chosen to exhibit. For Minnesota, it’s axe throwing.

Channeling Paul Bunyan: Veterans try axe throwing at National Wheelchair Games in Minneapolis

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