6 replies to this topic

[rue2you]

I had a veteran that participated in the Ohio Wheelchair Games in Columbus back in May tell me that it was one of the greatest things he has ever done. He had such a sparkle in his eye and he really got me to wanting to be involved next year. I also think it would be good for my kids to see mom be able to "do" something special.

For my veteran friend, the VA will pay for him a handcycle, racing chair, sports chair or whatever he wants to get into as long as he will really use it and be involved.

My question is, what are my options? I can't afford all of these other chairs and things. Is their some kind of help or something to let someone like me get involved in sports/games?

[araitn]

Take a look at the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

[mellowgator]

rue,

there are ways you can participate in sports. i found a wheelchair sports clinic and went without having a specialized chair. some of the activites at the event i went to in gainesville, was tennis, swimming, weightlifting, yoga, racing, basketball, rugby. there were also wheelchair reps there with chairs you could try out. you can probably look online to see if there is an event near you and what all is being offered. at my event there were scads if volunteers to assist with transfers etc. they also had a host of pt's who volunteered. i guarantee if you go to one you'll find what interest you. i became a hugh fan of w-c tennis and eventually got a chair for it. but i also loved the swimming and even won my event. so please try to find one of these clinics go and don't spend money for a chair until you find the event you want to persue.

also see if the what all the ohio w-c games has to offer. it may be similar to what i went to.

mellowgator

Edited by mellowgator, 18 June 2010 - 10:56 PM.

[mellowgator]

rue,

i found this info for you. apparently the same organization who organized the games also has clinics.

Ohio Wheelchair Sports Association
The Ohio Wheelchair Sports Association was founded on May 26, 1970 as a non-profit organization, to raise awareness of wheelchair athletics and the resources that sponsor their adaptive sports programs on the local, regional, national and international levels. OWSA offers wheelchair sports programs including- wheelchair basketball, tennis, archery, weight lifting, hand cycling, quad rugby, softball, field events, table tennis, road racing, track, and special scheduled events.
614-775-9499
Ohio, USA

mellowgator

[rue2you]

Thank you Mellow!!! I will be calling them!

[redryder49]

We took about 10 kids up there this year and have beend doing it for about 4 years. You can participate in most of the sports from a regular chair. They do have a track competition where some people use track chairs, but you dont have to you can use a regular chair. Also they did not have the handcycle competition there this year. We had one kid wanting to compete in it and they let us know a couple weeks before that it had been cancled. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, here FB or cell which is on my fb.

http://www.ohwcsport...lchairGames.htm

Edited by redryder49, 19 June 2010 - 05:17 AM.

[rue2you]

Thank you redryder!