Physical Disability In Basketball

There are many that have a physical disability, but that does not have to stop one from leading a fulfilling life. There are many adaptive sports that are enjoyed, and sports can be adjusted to a physical limitation. “According to the Americans with Disability Act (ADA 1990), a person with a disability is anyone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity” (Dattilo, 2012, p. 167). “Disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits (past, present, or future; real or perceived) one or more major life activities, having a record of such an impairment”. ADA’s work (as cited in Stumbo & Peterson, 2012, pg. 2). I sat and watched the supervisor and the team of 4 put together

According to the Disabled Sports USA: “Today, in order to be eligible to play wheelchair basketball within the NWBA (National Wheelchair Basketball Association) a person must have a permanent lower extremity disability that precludes then from playing competitive stand up basketball. In addition to spinal cord injury (SCI), many types of disabilities qualify a person to play wheelchair basketball. Spina bifida, cerebral palsy, post polio syndrome, lower extremity amputation, leg length discrepancy, and permanent joint disorders are just a few of the disabilities that would qualify a person to play wheelchair basketball”. (par. 1)

Usually there are 5 in a team. “Dribbling” is when a team member passes the ball after every two pushes of the chair. Each half of the game lasts 20 min. Myreo and his team members got some of us to sit in the wheel chairs and played with them; you have to be strapped into the wheelchair. They got us to shoot the ball in the hoop which is the same height as regular basketball (10 feet). Myreo and his team members were fast maneuvering around the 84’ x 50’ playing area. It was entertaining to see students trying to get the ball in, but Myreo and his team made sure the students had some practice with “shooting hoop”. Myreo and his team members were very enthusiastic while teaching the students to play, and they had a sense of self-confidence, integrity, and pride that they

This will help me in my future in therapeutic recreation (TR), because as a therapeutic recreational therapist, it is my job to assess and develop the leisure experience and encourage: perceived freedom, positive emotions, meaningful activities, intrinsically motivation, a sense of identity, and self-determination. Stumbo, indicated that it is important, “To engage in leisure to express talents, demonstrate capabilities, achieve one’s potential, and experience a variety of positive emotions associated with participating in enjoyable and meaningful activities” (Stumbo 2012, fig 2.1, pg 26). This experience taught me that sports can be adapted using different equipment, and motivation is important when practicing TR. I am glad I had this experience, as it was a very valuable teaching tool in