Penn Hills Resident Reflects on “Best Time" of His Life at 31st National Veterans Wheelchair Games

For years, John Balocik’s friends and family have been
telling him that he needs to get out and experience life a little more. 

But Balocik, who served three years in the United States Navy and is a Vietnam War veteran, has been battling a host of medical problems, including triple bypass surgery and two strokes that have left him paralyzed on the left side of his body and wheelchair-bound.

Because of his problems he always said that he felt like he couldn’t get out and live life like others.

“I told them that I can’t get out there and do things like those other people,” Balocik, currently of Penn Hills, said.  “But my occupational therapist said, ‘There are people worse off than you out there, and it will be the best thing you ever did.’”

What Balocik’s therapist was encouraging him to participate in was the 31^st National Veterans Wheelchair Games that took place August 1 to 6 in downtown Pittsburgh. The weeklong competition is the largest annual wheelchair sporting event in the world celebrating the talents and tenacity of our nation’s brave heroes.

According to Bill Leuthold, chairperson of this year’s event, 567 athletes participated in the Games in Pittsburgh.

“The Games started out well and continued to gain momentum
throughout the week, culminating in many lives and attitudes being changed forever," Leuthold said. "The excitement and compassion
grew each day.”

Balocik agrees whole-heartedly with Leuthold.

“It truly was the best thing I ever did,” Balocik said.  “I didn’t win any medals, but there were two things I did do—laughed a lot and met a lot of people from all over the country. The camaraderie between Vets is just second to none.”

Since this was Balocik’s first year competing, he decided to
only participate in three events—the wheelchair slalom, air rifles and
bowling. But after witnessing all of the events first hand, Balocik said that he plans to train to participate in more events next year when the games roll into Richmond, Va.

“They just had so many events there, like softball, archery,
table tennis, pool, basketball and even track and field," he said. "I even talked to my coach last night about getting a different wheelchair so that I can participate in more games next year."

“Since it was my first year, I really didn’t know what to expect, but now I do and really want to get more involved. Since I have been sick, this has really been the highlight of my life. Besides participating
in the games, my wife and I got to spend a week downtown going to dinner, going to a baseball game and just enjoying our time together.  It was like a mini vacation for us, too.”

Between games, Balocik said that there was plenty of time to
tell and share stories, something that he really enjoyed.

“I met people from Puerto Rico, Alaska, Arizona, Missouri—just everywhere," he said. "Being a Vet gives you that brotherhood. It is something that we have in common that no one else has, and that’s what this event was all about—the camaraderie and brotherhood.

“I will always have fond memories of all of the people I met, and I look forward to next year.”