What do you say about a man that has helped change your
son’s outlook on life and has helped him to be successful in basketball,
specifically wheelchair basketball?
Jim Milliken, a Vietnam veteran, is a man worth
acknowledging and honoring today. He is one of the kindest, positive, humble, respectable
men I know. He has overcome a lot of adversity in his lifetime and still always
responds with “I’m fantastic” when I say “how ya doin’ Jim?”. He has never
ceased to amaze me with his soft-spoken kind words and acts of kindness.
About 6 years ago we found a group of guys in South Bend who
were getting together to play wheelchair basketball and decided to have John
Michael try it out. Jim was the guy who formed the group and took JM under his
wing and taught him how to play the game of basketball in a wheelchair. He
encouraged him like no one’s business. He believed in JM. Jim enjoyed playing
with him and challenged him to grow and become a competitive player. Jim instilled
in my son the ability to be confident on the basketball court. JM grew to
appreciate and respect his wheelchair basketball mentor and teammate. 
I, as a mom, will forever to be grateful for Jim! I watched
him help my son begin and grow in his love of the game of wheelchair
basketball. I’m not sure that I could ever thank him enough for coming along
side my son in teaching, encouraging and challenging him to become the best he
can be on the court and in life. Jim planted a lot of seeds of positive
attitude in him.
Our friend Jim Milliken …
2011 PROFILE - JIM
MILLIKEN
Army
Combat-Wounded Veteran of the Vietnam War
64
years old
South
Bend, Indiana
Jim
Milliken, a longtime participant in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, is
a dedicated athlete who has learned through years of experience that training
is the key to success.
Each
year, Milliken heads to his local pool, nearly every day, to swim so that he
stays in shape for the Games. In the past six years, his training has paid off
as Milliken has placed first in each of his swimming events. Milliken says he
plans to continue that tradition for a long time.
Winning
is a goal for many wheelchair athletes who compete in the Games, and Milliken
has certainly reached the top of his sport. In 1988, he was selected to be a
part of the Paralympic swim team in Seoul, Korea. Milliken also competes as a
member of a YMCA swim team, often against able-bodied people nearly half his
age.
Milliken’s
story is one of true triumph. While honorably serving his country, he was badly
injured by a landmine while on patrol in Vietnam. Despite immediate surgery,
doctors were unable to save his legs. He left the service as a double amputee,
but through the rehabilitation of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, he
gained back his spirit and drive to enjoy life to the fullest.
“The National Veterans Wheelchair
Games are a wonderful opportunity for injured Veterans to get active again,”
Milliken said. For those who have competed before, it is a chance to enjoy the
spirit of the Games and see old friends. If you can do this, then you can do
anything. Meeting this challenge will help you down the road of life.” (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Milliken, who first attended the Games in 1982, has won
more than 500 gold metals during his adaptive sports career. He was inducted
into the Ohio Wheelchair Sports Association Hall of Fame in 1990. (Paralyzed Veterans of America)
I know that Jim also visits area schools and tells children
about some of his story and living with a disability. He is a man who lives
with dignity and respect.
We have since moved on from the South Bend group of wheelchair basketball guys to playing competitively with high school teams across the nation. Even as JM doesn't play with Jim anymore, I think of him often and am grateful for all the seeds he's planted in my son's life. Jim will always be the guy who instilled hope and belief in his abilities and a passion for wheelchair basketball in my son.
Thank you Jim for your sacrifice and showing us that life is
worth enjoying and living to the fullest. I appreciate you!
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