Making Connections at the Valor Games

The Bridge II Sports Valor Games SE Return to Cameron

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Split screen: on left side an athlete sits, smiling, in a wheelchair in front of iconic "iron D" in Cameron Indoor Stadium. On the right side the athlete shoots a basketball from her chair

Last week, Thomas brought the Valor Games to the Triangle for three days, including one day at Duke University where more than 100 soldiers from different branches of the military took part.

One participant was Gabi Cha, who served in the US Army for 17 years and has been in a wheelchair for about a year and a half. She was a sergeant first class and learned about the games through another veteran that spoke highly of the program. She said her experience has been amazing so far and she is no stranger to competing on a high level, as she is involved with adaptive sports. Still, this is her first time at the Valor Games.  

“Everybody has been so welcoming and they immediately surround you with support,” she said. “What I love most about it is that I'm surrounded by other veterans like me and we can relate. It's been an adjustment, but I think overall it's been really positive.”  

Cha came to the Valor Games hoping to connect with her peers - who have the same disabilities she does - and share experiences. 

“There are people here who have been in chairs for 25 to 28 years, so I look forward to learning from them and from the connections I hold dear and the friendships that are forged here,” she said.  

She also offered words of encouragement to people with disabilities: “Whatever your disability is, you are not alone,” she said.   

Miah Floyd-Ferguson and Mesa Jones are N.C. Central University students working with University Communications this summer as Charmaine McKissick-Melton Communications Fellows.

 

US Army veteran, Gabi Cha, talks about joining her first Valor Games.