Vietnam Vet says "It's not what you lost but what you have left" at Wheelchair Games in Denver

‘It’s not what you lost’ - Local veterans find fun, camaraderie at Wheelchair Games

LINDSAY FIORI

"There's an old saying that it's not what you lost but what you have left," said Sorenson, who was a specialist fourth class in the U.S. Army while serving in Vietnam. "If you have a disability you can sit at home with a blanket on your lap and look out the window ... or else you can go outside and get on with your life."

Vietnam veteran Gus Sorenson, number 10, participated last week in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Denver. Sorenson, of Sturtevant, took part in bowling, shot put, table tennis, discus and quad rugby, which is shown above. CREDIT: Photo courtesy Dept. of Veterans Affairs.

DENVER - Last week two local veterans took part in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and each of those veterans will return to the Racine area this weekend with eight medals between them, including several golds.

Though both veterans were excited by their winnings, they said the medals aren't the important part of the annual Olympics-style games for wheelchair-bound veterans, which took place last week in Denver with closing ceremonies wrapping up Friday night.

"It's not just a sporting event but a way to get back on track with your life," explained Gus Sorenson, a 62-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Sturtevant who took part in this year's games. "Veterans realize others are living their lives with the same conditions."
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Local veterans find fun camaraderie at Wheelchair Games