Wheelchair Sports – Great for Youths and Seniors

posted on Oct 19 by Brian in the Disability News, Fun, Health, Healthcare, Veterans, Wheelchair Sports category

Organized sports have provided a healthy outlet for people since the beginning of time. In the days of prehistoric man the sport of hunting and killing the biggest game gave man notoriety and fame within the tribe. In the Roman era Roman soldiers and slave gladiators became heroes of the Arenas in the eyes of the entire Roman population. The love of playing sports has deeply rooted itself in almost every part of history of the entire world’s culture.

Prior to WWII, many wheelchair users were unable to participate in any sport, which left them ostracized from one of the biggest aspects of human nature. After the war and polio epidemic, the number of wheelchair users increased dramatically. With the sudden population of veterans in wheelchairs, these once active soldiers invented games with adapted rules around their wheelchairs, using them as advantages and essential parts of game play.

The therapeutic aspect of viewing their wheelchairs as an asset rather than a hindrance, as well as the forum it provided for those in a similar situation to support one another, caught on like wildfire. It spread from the VA hospitals to the civilian world where it continues to grow and flourish. Now one would be hard pressed to find a sport that has not been adapted to meet a wheelchair user’s needs. Organizations such as the Extremity Games and the Paralympics have taken wheelchair sports and made them into worldwide multi-sport events. Almost every wheelchair sport now has regulated organizational headquarters allowing for professional-level game play and an across-the-board rule book.

Wheelchair sports have continued to expand and reach all age groups. Just as sports for able-bodied athletes have leagues specifically geared towards both youth as well as seniors, wheelchair sports have these same options. For youth, wheelchair sports are an amazing tool to help the young wheelchair user feel more comfortable in their situations. It teaches dedication, teamwork, leadership skills, the joy of victory, and how to properly channel defeat. These life lessons are all essential to growing into well-rounded adults. The fact that it’s provided in an environment where the child is defined by his/her ability for the sport rather than the fact he/she is in a wheelchair is icing on the cake. Extreme games like Murderball also take wheelchair sports to a new level of fun and competition.

For wheelchair users who are seniors, wheelchair sports are just as essential. Staying active is just one preventative measure a senior can take to add to their health and longevity, as well as being a reason to share the passion of wheelchair sports with other teammates. Sports can also help  fight off the loneliness and depression many geriatrics face, wheelchair user or not. Depression can actually cause diseases to intensify, so the therapeutic benefits and the feeling of belonging and acceptance are endless!