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Wheels of Courage: How Paralyzed Veterans from World War II Invented Wheelchair Sports, Fought for Disability Rights, and Inspired a Nation
Out of the carnage of World War II comes an unforgettable tale about defying the odds and finding hope in the most harrowing of circumstances.
Wheels of Courage tells the stirring story of the soldiers, sailors, and marines who were paralyzed on the battlefield during World War II-at the Battle of the Bulge, on the island of Okinawa, inside Japanese POW camps-only to return to a world unused to dealing with their traumatic injuries. Doctors considered paraplegics to be "dead-enders" and "no-hopers," with the life expectancy of about a year. Societal stigma was so ingrained that playing sports was considered out-of-bounds for so-called "crippled bodies."
But servicemen like Johnny Winterholler, a standout athlete from Wyoming before he was captured on Corregidor, and Stan Den Adel, shot in the back just days before the peace treaty ending the war was signed, refused to waste away in their hospital beds. Thanks to medical advances and the dedication of innovative physicians and rehabilitation coaches, they asserted their right to a life without limitations. The paralyzed veterans formed the first wheelchair basketball teams, and soon the Rolling Devils, the Flying Wheels, and the Gizz Kids were barnstorming the nation and filling arenas with cheering, incredulous fans. The wounded-warriors-turned-playmakers were joined by their British counterparts, led by the indomitable Dr. Ludwig Guttmann. Together, they triggered the birth of the Paralympic Games and opened the gymnasium doors to those with other disabilities, including survivors of the polio epidemic in the 1950s.
Much as Jackie Robinson's breakthrough into the major leagues served as an opening salvo in the civil rights movement, these athletes helped jump-start a global movement about human adaptability. Their unlikely heroics on the court showed the world that it is ability, not disability, that matters most. Off the court, their push for equal rights led to dramatic changes in how civilized societies treat individuals with from kneeling buses and curb cutouts to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Their saga is yet another lasting legacy of the Greatest Generation, one that has been long overlooked.
Drawing on the veterans' own words, stories, and memories about this pioneering era, David Davis has crafted a narrative of survival, resilience, and triumph for sports fans and athletes, history buffs and military veterans, and people with and without disabilities.
Wheels of Courage tells the stirring story of the soldiers, sailors, and marines who were paralyzed on the battlefield during World War II-at the Battle of the Bulge, on the island of Okinawa, inside Japanese POW camps-only to return to a world unused to dealing with their traumatic injuries. Doctors considered paraplegics to be "dead-enders" and "no-hopers," with the life expectancy of about a year. Societal stigma was so ingrained that playing sports was considered out-of-bounds for so-called "crippled bodies."
But servicemen like Johnny Winterholler, a standout athlete from Wyoming before he was captured on Corregidor, and Stan Den Adel, shot in the back just days before the peace treaty ending the war was signed, refused to waste away in their hospital beds. Thanks to medical advances and the dedication of innovative physicians and rehabilitation coaches, they asserted their right to a life without limitations. The paralyzed veterans formed the first wheelchair basketball teams, and soon the Rolling Devils, the Flying Wheels, and the Gizz Kids were barnstorming the nation and filling arenas with cheering, incredulous fans. The wounded-warriors-turned-playmakers were joined by their British counterparts, led by the indomitable Dr. Ludwig Guttmann. Together, they triggered the birth of the Paralympic Games and opened the gymnasium doors to those with other disabilities, including survivors of the polio epidemic in the 1950s.
Much as Jackie Robinson's breakthrough into the major leagues served as an opening salvo in the civil rights movement, these athletes helped jump-start a global movement about human adaptability. Their unlikely heroics on the court showed the world that it is ability, not disability, that matters most. Off the court, their push for equal rights led to dramatic changes in how civilized societies treat individuals with from kneeling buses and curb cutouts to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Their saga is yet another lasting legacy of the Greatest Generation, one that has been long overlooked.
Drawing on the veterans' own words, stories, and memories about this pioneering era, David Davis has crafted a narrative of survival, resilience, and triumph for sports fans and athletes, history buffs and military veterans, and people with and without disabilities.
400 pages, Hardcover
Published August 25, 2020
About the author
David Davis
365 books20 followersDavid Davis documents the culture of sports through words, images, and sound.
His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Smithsonian Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, Orange Coast Magazine, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune, The San Francisco Chronicle, LA Weekly, The Forward, SB Nation, Deadspin, The Classical, Los Angeles Review of Books, Only A Game, LAObserved.
Currently, Dave is a contributing writer at Los Angeles Magazine and a contributing editor at “SportsLetter,” published by the LA84 Foundation.
His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Smithsonian Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, Orange Coast Magazine, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune, The San Francisco Chronicle, LA Weekly, The Forward, SB Nation, Deadspin, The Classical, Los Angeles Review of Books, Only A Game, LAObserved.
Currently, Dave is a contributing writer at Los Angeles Magazine and a contributing editor at “SportsLetter,” published by the LA84 Foundation.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 3, 2024
Great book about how the wounded men from World War 2 rose up and overcame adversity to lead disabled persons into the future. Before World War 2, when someone was left paralyzed in action or accidents, they were left in bed to await their death, which was a horrible one mostly because of infection from bed sores. Between the wars some doctors studied spinal injuries in depth and during the war with many instances of permanent paralysis they had many subjects to study and try to help. This was done by getting these injured men to move and be motivated to live a new life, and this end was achieved through sport as most were young men who before the war was very active.
What developed, and it developed really fast was wheelchair basketball, this not only brought the men higher morale, but also put these men in the public spotlight and so doing, made people see that a person with a disability, is still a person that can still contribute and thrive. And even though it started with paralyzed veterans from World War 2, soon it included many other people with disabilities (amputees, post-polios) that also started living fuller lives thanks to the sport.
The book also look at how the Paralympics came into being and how the treatment of paralysis evolved during this time. The book focuses mainly on three wounded veterans, but it includes many incredible stories of other people, both vets and civilians that contributed the growth of disabled sports, and I just wish they could have been here to see how massive it has become, and how sports changed the world for people living with disabilities for the better. Great read and highly recommended!!
What developed, and it developed really fast was wheelchair basketball, this not only brought the men higher morale, but also put these men in the public spotlight and so doing, made people see that a person with a disability, is still a person that can still contribute and thrive. And even though it started with paralyzed veterans from World War 2, soon it included many other people with disabilities (amputees, post-polios) that also started living fuller lives thanks to the sport.
The book also look at how the Paralympics came into being and how the treatment of paralysis evolved during this time. The book focuses mainly on three wounded veterans, but it includes many incredible stories of other people, both vets and civilians that contributed the growth of disabled sports, and I just wish they could have been here to see how massive it has become, and how sports changed the world for people living with disabilities for the better. Great read and highly recommended!!
November 28, 2023
As a lifelong paraplegic and wheelchair user, I was excited to get to read this book. It features some of the men who were paralyzed while serving in World War II, their physical therapists, and the doctors who believed that these men's lives were worth saving. Then later, those afflicted with Polio, and other disabilities.
In World War I, when a soldier was paralyzed, he was basically just left to die, typically from an infection, which meant these guys SUFFERED, all because it was viewed that living life as a paraplegic wasn't worth it. Even President Garfield was treated this way.
You get a brief overview of each person's life and how they all intersect. You hear about the horrible treatment of the now patients and how they returned to the States, usually with infections and bed sores. How the staff at the hospitals urged them to give wheelchair basketball a try and the boost in morale and the motivation it gave them to keep improving.
I liked how this book went beyond just basketball and talked about public perception of the disabled. The author talks about how there were ugly laws on the books and that random people would just walk up to them and told them things like "if you really believed in God, you could get up out of that chair and walk."
The book also talks about the development of the "Employ the Handicapped," movement as it was originally called, and the opening of the Bulova Watchmaking school that helped many disabled vets get jobs, and about the fight for disabled rights, getting accessible housing, the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Here is the problem I have with the book. It just ended in 1990.
There's nothing about the ongoing fight for equal access to buildings, how a lot of society still views disability in a negative way, and how there's not enough accessible housing. The ADA didn't "fix" disability rights in this country. It did improve it, which the author does at least state. I also am grateful that the author didn't turn the stories of those disabled athletes featured in the book into inspiration porn.
That said, despite the problems, I think that this is a good read for anyone to get a different viewpoint of life during the post World War II years, and I do recommend it.
My thanks to Center Street, author David Davis, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
In World War I, when a soldier was paralyzed, he was basically just left to die, typically from an infection, which meant these guys SUFFERED, all because it was viewed that living life as a paraplegic wasn't worth it. Even President Garfield was treated this way.
You get a brief overview of each person's life and how they all intersect. You hear about the horrible treatment of the now patients and how they returned to the States, usually with infections and bed sores. How the staff at the hospitals urged them to give wheelchair basketball a try and the boost in morale and the motivation it gave them to keep improving.
I liked how this book went beyond just basketball and talked about public perception of the disabled. The author talks about how there were ugly laws on the books and that random people would just walk up to them and told them things like "if you really believed in God, you could get up out of that chair and walk."
The book also talks about the development of the "Employ the Handicapped," movement as it was originally called, and the opening of the Bulova Watchmaking school that helped many disabled vets get jobs, and about the fight for disabled rights, getting accessible housing, the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Here is the problem I have with the book. It just ended in 1990.
There's nothing about the ongoing fight for equal access to buildings, how a lot of society still views disability in a negative way, and how there's not enough accessible housing. The ADA didn't "fix" disability rights in this country. It did improve it, which the author does at least state. I also am grateful that the author didn't turn the stories of those disabled athletes featured in the book into inspiration porn.
That said, despite the problems, I think that this is a good read for anyone to get a different viewpoint of life during the post World War II years, and I do recommend it.
My thanks to Center Street, author David Davis, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
January 22, 2021
This was a fascinating look at the development of wheelchair sports thanks to the work of World War II veterans, doctors, therapists, and allies. Before WW2, a spinal cord injury meant a very short, bedridden life. But when doctors started treating the injuries as something to rehabilitate, they found that using sports like wheelchair basketball worked wonders both for the vets' physical and mental health. The book walks us through the medical advancements in spinal cord injury rehab; the development of wheelchair sports that eventually led to things wheelchair divisions in marathons and the Paralympics; and how the playing tours of these athletes helped advance the disability rights movement. As a sports fan and the mother of a wheelchair-using kiddo, I found the whole thing immensely interesting and will probably be recommending it to everyone I know who has an interest in disability rights, veterans, medicine, rehabilitation, sports, and human beings. Also, the story about Marlon Brando in the bar was fantastic.
December 11, 2020
What a well researched and entertaining read! David Davis’ exploration of wheelchair sports, disabled veterans, and the disability movement was uplifting and interesting. Spanning decades, Wheels of Courage was full of so many surprises - I couldn’t believe how crazy integrated wheelchair basketball was to Hollywood, politics, international relations, and more. I learned so much from this book, which showcases the triumph and resilience of the human spirit. A big thank you to Center Street for the finished copy!
November 28, 2023
First, I am interested in disability history but failed to do my due diligence reviewing the publisher before requesting this book. Do not buy anything from them. Ever.
That said, this is a decent book because it is the only one that I know of on the topic. America confronting its atrocious treatment of the disabled once people from the armed forces who were being presented as heroes were disabled is definitely a story. The roll of wheelchair basketball in furthering the cause is also a story. Ultimately, this one doesnt seem to know what it wants to be. At first it focuses on the West Coast. Then it mentions that there's this whole competing notion that developped independently on the East Coast. But not much else gets said there. Then he jumps the pond to cover the development of the Paralympics. Eventually Raegan and Bush Sr are the heroes because the ADA.
I can only assume that the author did not go with a more reputable press because they would have demanded more cohesion to this work. Disabled people and their allies know how much the ADA leaves to be desired, and that it is far from a cure all. The author does make references to the soldiers' "gallows humor," but doesnt explain very much. There is too much telling and too little showing to be a compelling work about the veterans. There is not enough of a narrative to be a history. So it ends up just meh.
Someone please write the book this should have been?
That said, this is a decent book because it is the only one that I know of on the topic. America confronting its atrocious treatment of the disabled once people from the armed forces who were being presented as heroes were disabled is definitely a story. The roll of wheelchair basketball in furthering the cause is also a story. Ultimately, this one doesnt seem to know what it wants to be. At first it focuses on the West Coast. Then it mentions that there's this whole competing notion that developped independently on the East Coast. But not much else gets said there. Then he jumps the pond to cover the development of the Paralympics. Eventually Raegan and Bush Sr are the heroes because the ADA.
I can only assume that the author did not go with a more reputable press because they would have demanded more cohesion to this work. Disabled people and their allies know how much the ADA leaves to be desired, and that it is far from a cure all. The author does make references to the soldiers' "gallows humor," but doesnt explain very much. There is too much telling and too little showing to be a compelling work about the veterans. There is not enough of a narrative to be a history. So it ends up just meh.
Someone please write the book this should have been?
November 8, 2020
This book started out as an article in Los Angeles magazine. I appreciate the research David Davis did to expand that article into a book I loved learning about the history of the battles of World War II. I knew that soldiers fought and died in Europe but not in the Philippines. I learned about the long history of wheelchair basketball in this book. The sport started in California hospital wards in the years following the war and grew into an international sport.
I am impressed that these wheelchair athletes were able to defeat able bodied athletes.. I don't have the strength or coordination to play wheelchair basketball because all four of my limbs are affected by a disability, but I am inspired to stay physically fit just like a wheelchair basketball player by walking. I loved reading how each athlete participated in playing basketball regardless of the severity of their disability. They were grouped with athletes who were similar in disability. This is an excellent example of inclusion which is a big movement in the disability community.
I am impressed that these wheelchair athletes were able to defeat able bodied athletes.. I don't have the strength or coordination to play wheelchair basketball because all four of my limbs are affected by a disability, but I am inspired to stay physically fit just like a wheelchair basketball player by walking. I loved reading how each athlete participated in playing basketball regardless of the severity of their disability. They were grouped with athletes who were similar in disability. This is an excellent example of inclusion which is a big movement in the disability community.
May 12, 2024
Kako izbrati šport za spletne stave
Spletne športne stave so zabaven način za dodajanje razburljivosti gledanju športnih dogodkov in priložnost za dobitek. Toda izbira pravega športa za stave je ključ do uspešnih stav. Oglejte si smernice, ki smo jih ustvarili, da bi vam pomagali najti najboljšo spletno stavnico tukaj! V tem članku si bomo ogledali nekaj pomembnih korakov pri izbiri športa za spletne stave.
1. Odkrijte svoje športne interese
Prvi korak je, da pogledate svoje lastne športne interese. Izberite šport, ki vas navdušuje in ga poznate. Na primer, če ste ljubitelj nogometa in redno spremljate nogometne tekme, so lahko stave na nogomet (na primer turnir, kot je liga prvakov) dobra izbira. Poznavanje in zanimanje za vaš šport vam bo pomagalo bolje staviti.
2. Raziščite različne športne trge
Ko določite svoje interese, raziščite različne športne trge, na katere lahko stavite na spletu. Različni športi ponujajo različne možnosti stav, kot so zmagovalec tekme, skupni rezultat, natančen rezultat in drugi posebni trgi. Izberite šport, ki ponuja trge, ki vas zanimajo in dobro poznate.
3. Analizirajte statistiko in formo ekip ali igralcev
Za bolj premišljeno odločitev o stavah analizirajte statistiko in formo ekip ali igralcev v izbranem športu. Oglejte si pretekle rezultate, statistiko zmag in porazov ter trenutno formo ekip ali igralcev. Te informacije vam pomagajo oceniti možnosti za uspeh za različne možnosti stav.
4. Držite se svojega proračuna in obvladujte svoja tveganja
Pri izbiri športa za spletne stave bodite realni in se držite svojega proračuna za stave. Obvladovanje tveganja je ključni element uspešnih stav. Postavite omejitve stav in ne tvegajte več, kot ste pripravljeni izgubiti.
5. Spremljajte novice in aktualne dogodke
Ne nazadnje bodite obveščeni o novicah in aktualnih dogodkih iz sveta športa, na katerega stavite. Spremembe v sestavi ekipe, poškodbe, vzdušje pred tekmo in drugi dejavniki lahko vplivajo na rezultate. Bodite previdni in uporabite najnovejše informacije za izboljšanje svojih stav.
Šport, potreben za spletne stave, je treba izbrati glede na vaše interese, znanje in analizo stavnih priložnosti. Sledite tem korakom in bodite odgovoren stavni igralec, da boste uživali v užitku stav in imeli priložnost osvojiti uspešne nagrade.
Spletne športne stave so zabaven način za dodajanje razburljivosti gledanju športnih dogodkov in priložnost za dobitek. Toda izbira pravega športa za stave je ključ do uspešnih stav. Oglejte si smernice, ki smo jih ustvarili, da bi vam pomagali najti najboljšo spletno stavnico tukaj! V tem članku si bomo ogledali nekaj pomembnih korakov pri izbiri športa za spletne stave.
1. Odkrijte svoje športne interese
Prvi korak je, da pogledate svoje lastne športne interese. Izberite šport, ki vas navdušuje in ga poznate. Na primer, če ste ljubitelj nogometa in redno spremljate nogometne tekme, so lahko stave na nogomet (na primer turnir, kot je liga prvakov) dobra izbira. Poznavanje in zanimanje za vaš šport vam bo pomagalo bolje staviti.
2. Raziščite različne športne trge
Ko določite svoje interese, raziščite različne športne trge, na katere lahko stavite na spletu. Različni športi ponujajo različne možnosti stav, kot so zmagovalec tekme, skupni rezultat, natančen rezultat in drugi posebni trgi. Izberite šport, ki ponuja trge, ki vas zanimajo in dobro poznate.
3. Analizirajte statistiko in formo ekip ali igralcev
Za bolj premišljeno odločitev o stavah analizirajte statistiko in formo ekip ali igralcev v izbranem športu. Oglejte si pretekle rezultate, statistiko zmag in porazov ter trenutno formo ekip ali igralcev. Te informacije vam pomagajo oceniti možnosti za uspeh za različne možnosti stav.
4. Držite se svojega proračuna in obvladujte svoja tveganja
Pri izbiri športa za spletne stave bodite realni in se držite svojega proračuna za stave. Obvladovanje tveganja je ključni element uspešnih stav. Postavite omejitve stav in ne tvegajte več, kot ste pripravljeni izgubiti.
5. Spremljajte novice in aktualne dogodke
Ne nazadnje bodite obveščeni o novicah in aktualnih dogodkih iz sveta športa, na katerega stavite. Spremembe v sestavi ekipe, poškodbe, vzdušje pred tekmo in drugi dejavniki lahko vplivajo na rezultate. Bodite previdni in uporabite najnovejše informacije za izboljšanje svojih stav.
Šport, potreben za spletne stave, je treba izbrati glede na vaše interese, znanje in analizo stavnih priložnosti. Sledite tem korakom in bodite odgovoren stavni igralec, da boste uživali v užitku stav in imeli priložnost osvojiti uspešne nagrade.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2021
As someone who is involved in adaptive sports, this book sent millions of thoughts flying through my head. How did wheelchair basketball grow to prominence? Large amounts of corporate and institutional support. Who did wheelchair basketball teams play mostly at the beginning? Nondisabled basketball club teams who they beat up regularly kind of like power soccer players do when we put nondisabled players in our chairs. Where did most of the original players meet? In hospitals while recovering from injuries sustained in World War II.
On an organizational, financial, and strategic level, I think this book provides an interesting retrospective that anyone involved in adaptive sports could learn from. The stories of the individual players were interesting, and, just like anything else, developing a movement relies on the personalities who are excited about promoting it. However, just because of the way my mind works, I was particularly drawn to the proliferation of wheelchair basketball teams and how that compares and contrasts with the development of my own sport of power soccer.
This book is definitely worth reading.
On an organizational, financial, and strategic level, I think this book provides an interesting retrospective that anyone involved in adaptive sports could learn from. The stories of the individual players were interesting, and, just like anything else, developing a movement relies on the personalities who are excited about promoting it. However, just because of the way my mind works, I was particularly drawn to the proliferation of wheelchair basketball teams and how that compares and contrasts with the development of my own sport of power soccer.
This book is definitely worth reading.
September 11, 2020
Beginning with the humanity of each man in the sports, progressing through graphic descriptions of the inhumanity forced upon them by war, to the cultural ignorance and effective ostracism by their fellow Americans, this book goes on to describe their heroic efforts AFTER the war. The paramedical community did the best they could for the time, but it was each man's own determination that brought him through to refuse to be defeated. Together they organized team sports and the early incarnation of the Paralympic Games which includes amputees, accident sufferers, and those whose lives have been changed by diseases like polio, from countries around the world. This is a complex narrative of survival, resilience, and triumph for athletes, history buffs, military veterans, and people with and without disabilities, backed up by factual memories of the early pioneers of the movement. This is definitely a story of real bravery too long forgotten! Read it if you dare.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Center Street, a division of Hachette Book Group via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Center Street, a division of Hachette Book Group via NetGalley. Thank you!
March 22, 2022
WHEELS OF COURAGE - David Davis
I received this free to my kindle for the purpose of review. Outstanding and very insightful. The story of three young men who survived WWII but had injuries that changed their lives.
I enjoyed reading about the bravery of the men who despite their difficult circumstances fought to make a better life for other wheelchair users.
As a paraplegic myself I found myself with many of his early feelings of discouragement and depression but his determination to learn and help others was refreshing. Often times, injured people take a different path and also end up quite bitter and angry.
I enjoyed the book greatly and would recommend it for families to help children understand war, courage, helpfulness and challenge them to be the best they can be.
#Goodreads #Wheels of courage #Net Galley
I received this free to my kindle for the purpose of review. Outstanding and very insightful. The story of three young men who survived WWII but had injuries that changed their lives.
I enjoyed reading about the bravery of the men who despite their difficult circumstances fought to make a better life for other wheelchair users.
As a paraplegic myself I found myself with many of his early feelings of discouragement and depression but his determination to learn and help others was refreshing. Often times, injured people take a different path and also end up quite bitter and angry.
I enjoyed the book greatly and would recommend it for families to help children understand war, courage, helpfulness and challenge them to be the best they can be.
#Goodreads #Wheels of courage #Net Galley
October 18, 2021
Discounted | Fascinating and well arranged | Absolutely the only problem I had with this was that I was constantly putting it down to Google for more info on individuals, events, places. So it took me forever to finish! Reads like a narrative, but packs a ton of history and detail into the pages.
September 29, 2020
Great book. Reads like a (good) novel but filled with new insights into the lives and triumphs of the so called disabled.
January 3, 2021
Great history of people who made huge steps
As a person who benefited from all their work. It is great to read the details of of the folks who changed the disabled community.
As a person who benefited from all their work. It is great to read the details of of the folks who changed the disabled community.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews