Wheelchair Sports

[misty]

Does anybody know how I can get into them in the Houston area? I don't use a wheelchair for mobility, but I'm thinking I could be a lot more active if I had one. Does anybody know if I have to be a full time wheelchair user to participate? I wonder if recreational activity is a valid excuse for my doc to write me a prescription for a chair...hmmm.

[Summer25]

Insurance won't pay for a chair just for recreation. I'm not sure about what is in Houston. Sorry, I can't help. I do know a lot of kids that played basketball that didn't need a chair full time. I played as a child. How about a hand crank bike? Insurance wouldn't pay for one either, but it is a lot more exercise.

[misty]

Well actually, it wouldn't all be for recreation. There have been times when I really could have used a wheelchair just to get around. A few weekends ago I was at the Houston Auto Show with my husband and we asked to be pointed to handicapped parking. We were directed to the handicapped parking at another building about half a mile away from where we had intended to go. Sure would have been nice to just pop the chair out of the trunk and wheel myself in. As it was, I got there (cussing the whole way because my back hurt), and had to find a chair and rest before we could have any fun. So I guess I really do need a chair for long distance purposes and just have been too stubborn to admit it. But there's a tiny female (American) football player inside me just trying to peel herself out of this less than football worthy body!

[sean]

I'm a walker, I play wheelchair basket ball every monday night at a local Uni'.
Probably a third of us are walkers (of varying degrees).
And there's chair hockey before we get the court, the pace of the game is determind by the pace of electric wheelchairs, just as competative and skillfull.
I'm 50+, never played sport, the excemption from playing sport started in primary school and stuck for life.
Basket ball, it's sooo great. A few of the players are tournament, competative, state team players. It's got to be a bit of a practice session for them, it's full on for the rest of us.
For the first time in my life I'm experiencing what it is to play in a team, it's amazing/thrilling. Just between you and me, the hi-fives and handshakes at the end of every game, with everyone!.....I just want to cry, it feels so great.
I can do wheelchair sports because my neurogenic B/B are pretty much contained and immobile. It would have been good to have realised this ???30 years ago.

I'm sure if you look around you'll find wheelchair sports.
Maybe, find someone who repairs wheelchairs and you may find a good reasonably priced secondhand one.

Feeling the need and too stubborn to admit it. Intuition and determination not to be defeated (so to speak).
I've thought/think about the aids supports I could do with sometimes/now (gulp, I'm still thinking sometimes.......), but I'm hanging on to my independent sense of autonomy (- meds/urodome/bag) for as long as possible. LOL
For me it's a huge leap to accept dependence on physical supports. I see the need and daily/constantly reminded of it.
Stubborness, I think it's all good. We are giving ourselves time to wiegh up the pro's and CON's. I've given it a lot of thought and (for me) have realised that it's not by defeat or loss that I accept possible physical/mechanical support, it's growth adapting a little along the way. No point drowning in the emotion of it all until it happens, even then best to keep it brief (loss of any body part or function deserves a send off). then I think it's my emotions verses some practical mechanics. Wallow or win.

Just a thought, would an independent evaluation of your needs help. A doctor or physiotherapist. There are dangers in self diagnosing and treating ourselves (I know).

There's football player inside you trying to peel herself out! You've said it now! it's out!, no way she's going away until you let her out!. Don't let it become a regret, go for it!

[misty]

Sean, you're awesome! I'm going to get myself a wheelchair and get to competing! I've never been able to compete in sports, because everyone could run faster, or was taller, or whatever else. Wheelchair sports though, I think I can do (with a little practice and training, of course)! But there's always been a tomboy behind the braces and the slight waddle! I'm going for it! Woooo!

[Dodger67]

First get into the sport then get the chair. Different sports use different chairs. A basketball chair is no good for the 200m sprint and a road racing chair won't work for tennis. Clubs usually have spare chairs for beginners.

[misty]

Awesome Dodger! I never even thought about different chairs for different sports! I'm going to google today and see what I can find in the area.

[Dodger67]

:fyi: Speak to Genny Marshall at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research - Memorial Hermann. She is the US Paralympics accedited co-ordinator in your area.

TIRR Memorial Hermann -1333 Moursund St. - Phone 713-799-5000
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2711/4351446698_998970cffa.jpg



My Google-fu is strong!!! :Banane21:

[misty]

You want to know what's hilarious? I work at TIRR Memorial Hermann. Hahahahahahahaha! I had no idea we had a wheelchair sports program. I'm sitting at my desk right now. I'll give her extension a ring. I've never heard of her though. Big hospital.

[Dodger67]

That is quite funny - but as you say, its a big place.
Please let us know what you learn from her.

[misty]

I'll let you know. Hehe! I'm a little embarrassed. Oh well, not the first time. I'm calling right now.

[misty]

I called. I'm going to meet with her later today. She said they have chairs that I can try out until I find a sport I really like, then I can try for a grant to get one of my own. Wooooooo! I'm so excited!

[LisaJoy]

I just found this exchange so funny! Roger, sitting in South Africa, directing Misty in Houston to a program she didn't know about in the same building where she works! Roger, you definitely have your Google-fu on.

Misty, I'm interested in what you find out, too.

[misty]

We have wheelchair football!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! She's going to email me the info on all the sports and I'll post what she sends.

[misty]

Hey! The lady FINALLY got back to me! Wheelchair tennis on Tuesday! They provide the chair and all the sports equipment! Should be fun!

[sean]

That's great. I've watched a few games...I was exhausted.
I like tennis, it can be as fun or grueling as you make it. We play hockey ?warm up before we play basket ball, I am hopeless, all I can do is try and defend.
I've hit a couple of people in the head with my stick (hard plastic), apart from a few right sort of back hand hits, I am all fumbles, I need a third hand. I'm just not quick enough to wheel, hold the stick, and play the game. I am waiting for my hand, eye, game coordination to happen???
Not sure if I'd be any good at tennis (ironically lol) I have weak wrists, could be a little arthritic. Basket ball, it's not a problem, generally throw with both hands.
Have a great time at tennis....... take your time, warm up and down, no injuries!

[misty]

Like you, I'm just hoping to be able to hold the racket and roll myself at the same time. Probably won't ever hit the ball my first time! Lol

[Summer25]

Oh I love playing tennis. I started at about the age of 8. Not really allowed to anymore because of my neck, but have been thinking about picking it up again. It isn't as hard as it looks. They'll probably throw the ball to you where you are just to start off. That way you can learn the different serves.

[misty]

Oh, well that sounds easier. I'm going to have to learn the basics of operating the chair first. I'm thinking of going early just to sit in one and learn how to steer. It seems easy enough, but I want to be sure I can at least do that before they start throwing balls at me! Hahaha!

[LisaJoy]

Can't wait to hear how it goes!

[misty]

THAT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! I want to play every day! I hit the ball some! I have a bruise under my arm that I can't explain. BUT IT WAS GREAT!

[Papillon]

Hi Misty and others,

I went to a Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp (over Christmas and/or January) here in Sydney a few times as a kid/teenager, and we 'played' wheelchair tennis - we had professional tennis players come and help out one time, and I have a photo of me from the newspaper with John Newcombe (an Aussie Tennis Star from the 80s or 90s)!! All they did was basically gently hit the ball over the net to us, or slow enough away from us so that we could wheel with one hand while we held the racquet with the other hand and then try to get to the ball and hit it - I was OK at hitting the ball when it was coming at my racquet to begin with, but actually getting to it before it went 'out' was a challenge from memory. Lots of laughs, though!!

I also remember trying wheelchair basketball on those camps - because the baskets/rings were so high, and we were only kids/teenagers, they put a rope across between the two poles (it was the type of basketball hoop that had a big backboard, and the poles holding it up off the ground were on either side of the backboard, so wide enough for a rope to go across them, therefore making a lower 'basket'. I was totally hopeless at every aspect of this game, except that I COULD (and still can) pick a basketball up from the ground by holding it against the wheel of my chair and spinning it around til it gets to the top and I can get it to my lap! A basketball is about the smallest thing I can catch - hand/eye coordination not great, plus also I tend to get scared when things come 'at me', so I close my eyes - NOT a good thing to do in sport or at any other time when something is approaching your face/body!!

Since I have been an adult I have not found any locally run sport things that are for people who just want to have fun rather than compete - except for horseriding, but that is on hold, too, at the moment, because they are moving to a different site and have to build the new complex.

Love Papillon

[sean]

Happy for you Misty, funny thing, I can be all precious about little injuries I get working,
but, sports injuries, I feel quietly proud. LOL.
I've had some nasty blisters, a direct hit of the basket ball to my nose, a sprained finger.

Papillon, have you joined the NSW SB Association or been out to the Northcotte centre?
They should know of local sports...or social gatherings.
The hockey and basket ball I play (don't forget I'm over 50, never played sport) is mostly about fun and exercise. There are a few who play competitively else where, a bit of a practice session for them, occationally they'll set the pace/play. Every now and then the umpire will throw in a new rule, a common/real basketball rule, like 'only three seconds in the key!' Of course I try and play by the rules and stay with the pace, but there's no pressure/penalties. It's so funny can't but be fun. I am only just the oldest, only a few of us, mostly teens, 20's, 30's. I'm sure half the people come for a laugh and a gossip. For those of us who come to play basket ball...don't know, I think it's our attempts at playing seriously that's hilarious.
I've noticed improvement in my skills/play, I do well at times, team player.
Hockey, think I may give it up, I'm hopeless, trying to coordinate the stick, wheels, play, I'm dangerous.
Basket ball, the ball is big enough for me to see (lol that's an oldies joke), I can use both hands to throw, getting better all the time. I have not been able to master bringing up the ball with the wheel of the chair, yet. I've got pretty good at spinning the ball to bounce back to you. I guess it's a standard rule, when you've got the ball, it's 2 wheels, bounce, 2 wheels, bounce. Half of us have little or no experience in wheelchairs, it's such a challenge of coordination and trying to keep up, affectionally called 'fakers' by real chair users, and I'm not the only one who gets the flailing arms gesture, like a drunk seal flapping its flippers, when I totally miss or fumble the ball. It's such great fun, even the aches and pains the next day or two feel well worth it.
Horse riding sounds fabulous!
The season is over now, but this last summer + I've been going sailing, every second sunday, weather permitting. For me it took four sessions/lessons for me to go solo. Learnt a lot of the basics, the last few times able to sit back relax and soak it in. It has been great fun and I'm pleased with myself.
Sailing, sounds grand...it's not Sydney to Hobart or Americas Cup sailing lol, it's easy/easy going recreational sailing, little cute boats for two, two sails, on a lake. I pay $5 as a casual, about 6 hrs sailing. If you want you can sign up train and become a ?Commadore one day.
Never thought I'd be sailing...yeah!
Just a thought, if your near the harbour or water.

[Papillon]

Thanks Sean,

I am a member of the SB Assoc/Northcott Society, and I have had the opportunity to try wheelchair racing (in the kind of 3-wheeled wheelchair Louise Sauvage used at the Sydney Olympics), at their Parramatta headquarters, which is good fun, but I don't have the kind of car that would be able to fit one in it, don't have the money required to buy one, and like I think I said, I did become a member of the Wheelchair Sports Association (the adult version), and try things like archery and wheelchair racing (as mentioned above), but they really were only interested in you becoming a member if you were committed to HEAPS of training and competing in at least some competitions. I would LOVE to give archery another go sometime, and maybe the wheelchair racing, but only if it is in a relaxed environment, just for fun/fitness.

I have done sailing with Sailability a few times - a group for people with disabilities that I belong to gives us the opportunity to go along a few times a year (I live in Sydney, so we do it in one of the bays of the Harbour). I have never been out in the boat on my own, I have so far only ever controlled the rudder/tiller, and the guy in the boat with me (one of the volunteer sailors) has always controlled the sails. I have never been brave enough to control everything - I think you'd need 3 hands (at least) to do so, since there's the tiller and two ropes for the sails. I have begun to kind of be taught how to figure out what to do with the sails to keep moving, and they did say last time I went that I could nearly go out on my own, but I'm too nervous (even though I have been told those boats are absolutely impossible to capsize - 'dingies', tiny little sail boats, low to the water, with a HUGE centre board down the middle, so in the harbour they would NEVER capsize. I have been in the boat when a massive Captain Cook Cruises ship has gone past, and no matter how far away from the ship we are, the waves from those things are ENORMOUS, and yes, the water does spray up a bit from the front our boat, and I have been in situations where the wind is so strong that the boat is tipping almost right over so that the rim of the boat is almost in the water, but that's as far as it ever goes. I DO NOT like it when that happens - even though I can swim and am wearing a life jacket.

Love Papillon

[misty]

Yeah I'm proud of my bruise! Its my first sports injury! I've been telling everyone like a big dork! Can't show it to them because that would require taking off my shirt and you just can't do that in front of everyone. The hubby has seen it though, and he said WTF did they do to you?! Guess it isn't pretty... I LIKE IT!

[Gymp]

Good Goin' Misty!

Gymp

[misty]

Thanks Gymp! My arms are killing me! I'm not used to wheeling myself around. Ouch!

[Emm]

Wow! I was so happy for you. Having had plenty of vigorous hobbies in the past it's such a shame if you have to miss out. I'm sure you'll have lots of fun and good things to look back on in times to come. I do hope things get under way so that you can fulfill a passion that you obviously have.
Good luck!


:Banane21:

[misty]

I've been told I have a natural talent for tennis, although I felt like I was just chasing balls and trying not to get nailed in the face! Hahaha! I'll be back every Tuesday, same time, same place until they run me off!

[LisaJoy]

Sounds like you had a blast! And how fun to discover a hidden talent -- you've been a closet jock all this time!

[misty]

I've always been a jock. A 4'9" handicapped jock who used to play basketball with the boys in the neighborhood. I was pretty good as long as no one was chasing me. I couldn't run fast enough to get away. I also couldn't shoot the ball over their heads because well 4'9" isn't tall. Duh! But now I can "run" fast as heck! Anybody got any advice on stopping from quick speed without hurting my hands?

[Lifeisgood]

Do you have a good pair of gloves? Maybe the fingerless type. I would think that they must make something like that. Try a sporting goods store.

[misty]

Oh yeah! I've seen those! Some of our patients at the hospital wear them. I don't know why I didn't think of them.