This last
Saturday, my friends and I ventured off to Sydney Olympic Park to watch the
Wheelchair Rugby match between Australia and Japan! Although it took my friends
a long time to find the stadium (2 hours of being lost!), we made it just in
time to get a feel for the game. The game was played indoors on a hardwood
surface (much like a basketball court). Four players from each team play on the
court at a time and try to score as many goals as possible. In order for a goal
to count, both wheels must pass the goal line. I noticed that the wheelchairs
that the players have are different than the standard wheelchairs. They are
specially made with bumpers so that the players can "bump" the others
players. Two players came to class on Monday and answered a lot of questions
for us. They mentioned that their wheelchairs are very expensive (around
$10,000) and it's difficult to afford because they do not get much federal
funding. 
Personally,
the game and the interviews with the players were eye-opening. I was great to
see the level of dedication and strength within these players despite their
disabilities. It is people like them that inspire me to be the best I can be.
If people are able to take their disabilities and use them in their favour (like
wheelchair rugby) it teaches me to be more receptive to my own strengths and
weaknesses.
Since there
are Americans that play this sport, I hope to experience more about it when I
go back home. It was awesome and such a cool experience!
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