Committee Considers Banks’ Veterans SPORT Act, Banks Visits with Veteran Athletes
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) spoke at the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing, “Independent Spirits: Veteran Health & Healing Through Adaptive Sports”in support of his Veterans SPORT Act. The bill would add recreational prosthetics to the VA medical benefits package, ensuring they are always fully covered.
The Veterans SPORT Act is endorsed by the Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Wounded Warrior Project, Orthotic and Prosthetic Group of America, and National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics.
Prior to the hearing, Senator Banks met with Navy veteran Gabriel George.Gabe isDirector of Pickleball for Military Adaptive Court Sports and travels the country to advocate for recreational and competitive sports for disabled veterans.
Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “It was great to meet with Navy veteran Gabe George who is doing incredible work to help disabled veterans experience the physical, mental, and community benefits of sports. I’m glad the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee is moving forward with my bill so more veterans can stay active and connected.”
Click the photo above or see the full remarks here.
See remarks below:
Sen. Banks: Mr. George, it was great to meet you earlier today. I wanted to wait and ask you, the whole country is watching this hearing. You’re under oath. Will you agree to be my partner in the upcoming Senate pickleball tournament?
Gabe George: Can I see you play first?
Sen Banks: Fair enough. Listen, Mr. George, you’re a champion athlete today, but it took a lot of hard work to get to where you are. Can you tell us more about how competing in sports helped your recovery in the beginning, and tell us that story, how it affects your health and well-being today, because I know there are a lot of others out there just like you.
Gabe George: Just me personally, just having that thought of the competition or just compete, gives me purpose, it gives you something to do. They’re rehearsing, they’re practicing… and you’re mentally, physically, and showing me that when I’m, the moments when I’m sitting at home, cringing in pain from having the nerve spasms constantly the muscle spasms, whether it’d be weather or AC, whatever’s going on, when I can get back on the court or whenever I’m doing something, I’m giving something else to focus on… I’m looking forward to, not even just the match, I’m looking forward that I’m showing up because I don’t see my competition as I’m facing that battle against the person. I’m saying I’m winning for everybody that’s watching me… I was pronounced dead many years ago. I was told I wasn’t supposed to be alive. I wasn’t supposed to walk. I have spinal cord injuries. I’m doing well… So every time I’ve reached my limit or find something else that I’m able to do, then I’m like, if I can do this, I’m showing somebody else, okay, you can probably do it too…
Sen. Banks: You’re an inspiration and a hero. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your time. I yield back.
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