PVA member George Holscher, a U.S. Navy veteran from a proud military family, is a testament to resilience and determination. Growing up in a Navy household, with his father and three brothers also serving, George felt a deep connection to the military. "It was in my blood," he reflects. At just 17, he enlisted through the delayed entry program, and three days after turning 18, he was in boot camp, ready to begin his service.
As an aviation electrician’s mate, George worked on F-14 squadrons, traveling the world while stationed at NAS Oceania. However, his life took a drastic turn in 1990 when a work-related truck accident left him with a spinal cord injury. “I hit a tree with my back and hips after being thrown from the truck,” George explains. It was a moment that reshaped his path—but not his resolve.
George discovered Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) a few years after his injury. Through bowling, he connected with members of PVA’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter. “I wish I had known about PVA sooner,” he says.
“I wish I had known about PVA sooner,” says George.
Today, George is an active participant in chapter events and a fierce advocate for adaptive sports.
Bowling has been a cornerstone of George’s life since his injury. He began with a local wheelchair league, rolling a 12-pound ball and averaging 72. Decades of perseverance turned a casual pastime into a competitive passion. George progressed from the B division to the scratch division, the highest level in adaptive bowling, competing across the country and mentoring others along the way.
“PVA has been instrumental in helping me compete,” George shares. “They’ve provided funding and support for tournaments, making it possible for athletes like me to push our limits.” This month, George will represent Team USA at the Para Bowling World Championship in Hong Kong. “I’ve been practicing hard and staying fit. It’s about mental preparation as much as physical,” he says.
“PVA has been instrumental in helping me compete,” George shares. “They’ve provided funding and support for tournaments, making it possible for athletes like me to push our limits.”
Coaching youth and mentoring other athletes is just as important to George as his own competition. A certified USBC Silver Coach, he’s spent over 25 years training the next generation of bowlers. “Coaching has made me a better athlete. When you teach, you learn,” he explains.
Adaptive sports have shaped George’s outlook on life. “It keeps you moving. I'm a big believer in use it or lose it, if you don't keep it going in the forward direction, you're going to go backwards,” he says. George also credits bowling for strengthening his shoulders and arms, helping him maintain mobility despite the toll of using a wheelchair.
For those hesitant to support adaptive sports programs, George’s advice is simple: “Attend an event. Watch athletes in action, see how it changes lives. The physical and emotional benefits are immeasurable. It’s an investment in people’s health and happiness.”
The physical and emotional benefits are immeasurable. It’s an investment in people’s health and happiness.”