Reflection: Observing Memphis Rolling Grizzlies Practice

       After attending the Memphis Rolling Grizzlies practice this evening, I have reached an entire new level of appreciation and respect for wheelchair users. I had never watched any type of wheelchair sport prior to today, and it was probably one of my favorite experiences that I've had since entering OT school. The first aspect of this team that I noticed was their relationships with one another. As we've talked about in class, a huge component that goes along with spinal cord injuries and many other neurological conditions is the fact that it is tough to maintain friendships and find leisure activities to participate in following an injury or diagnosis. However, it was clearly evident that these men have bonded so much over the past few years of playing this sport alongside each other and have created lifelong friendships. They do not let their disability define them and, instead, use it to grow closer to one another while having fun in the process. I found it very interesting that some of the men are not wheelchair users and play simply because they are passionate about this sport and what it means to them and each of their teammates.
       As I watched these men roll from one end of the court to the other, I was amazed at the amount of trunk and arm control that is required of each player. Not only must they need strength, but speed is also a necessity in wheelchair basketball. The wheelchair that each player used was specialized to be highly mobile and fast, and they were each constantly bumping into one another throughout each play and possession of the ball. There were even a few times where collisions were so high-impact that a player's wheelchair would topple over, and while it looked painful, they would simply push themselves back onto their wheels in an upright manner and continue to play. I additionally took note that some men wore gloves or chalked their hands in order to decrease the amount of stress applied to their palms and fingers while constantly propelling themselves throughout the game. I know their arms must get tired from the constant propelling and dribbling, but I am sure that their muscles build endurance over time.
          I tried to view this sport through an "OT lens" as I watched this practice, and it made me smile due to the fact that each of these men are still fully capable of participating in a sport that they love in spite of disability and injury. Enjoying and participating in this sport together makes their condition seem less like a burden and more like an opportunity to succeed and have fun in the process. I feel like many people feel hopeless and discouraged after becoming paralyzed and placed in a wheelchair for the rest of their lives, yet sports such as wheelchair basketball provide hope and purpose for these people. This sport also provides countless mental, physical, and emotional benefits. I am sure that it is tough to find opportunities to engage in physical activity while being in a wheelchair, yet this sport is the perfect opportunity.
           I had the chance to talk to a few of the players following practice, and they each have been playing together for 4-5 years. This alone shows that these men find purpose, self-motivation, and a sense of belonging through this sport. Experiencing their love of this sport was such an unforgettable opportunity, and it definitely opened my eyes to the fact that using a wheelchair does not mean that you cannot continue to engage in sports or other activities that you are passionate about. It only means that you may have to adapt and learn to engage in those activities in ways that are slightly different. That is exactly what occupational therapy does for others, and that is why this profession is so incredibly rewarding. Experiences such as this one remind me that I have chosen the right profession!!