Spotlight
Game On
| USF News
Dwayne Scheuneman
Photo by Katy Hennig | USF News
It was ‘Game On’ for USF St. Petersburg student and Navy veteran Dwayne Scheuneman at the 33rd annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Tampa in July.
Scheuneman earned four gold medals in his track races — the 100, 200, 400 and 800 meters and received silver medals in field events and rugby.
Injured in a swimming pool accident more than 15 years ago, Scheuneman approaches life and all its challenges with a high level of energy. In addition to racing, the USFSP elementary education major dances and started his own dance company for children and adults with mixed abilities.
He’s found an incredible support system within the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and the USF community since moving to the Tampa Bay area in 2000, after learning about the Michael Bilirakis DVA Spinal Cord Injury Center at the hospital.
“I thought the games are here in Tampa, I want to represent Tampa, and the Tampa VA has always been supportive of me,” he says.
It wasn’t Scheuneman’s first time competing in the Veterans Wheelchair Games. He also participated in the games in Los Angeles in 2003.
Scheuneman stresses the importance of having an active lifestyle and what the Veterans Wheelchair Games can provide to vets.
“It’s an opportunity for disabled vets,” he says. “The importance of the games is it really is an outlet, helping vets dealing with injuries. And as the recreational therapist at the VA tells me, you can maximize your potential, find that outlet.”
Dwayne Scheuneman practices on the track at USF.
Photo by Katy Hennig | USF News