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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Wheelchair football at school?

29 replies

TokenBritPoshOfCourse · 18/07/2018 12:05

I don’t know if I’m being a bit reactive, and I don’t know how it was presented but they had ‘alternative sports day’ at school this week and one of the events was wheelchair football. For able bodied pupils.

I feel a bit icky about it, I can sort of see that it might have been presented as a teaching moment but honestly I think there are better ways to do that than having a great old time pretending for fun.

We did an experiment at my secondary school (a v v long time ago...) where we had a few students try to navigate school in a wheelchair (spoiler, they couldn’t), and I can see the lesson in that, but five a side football in wheelchairs for six year olds just strikes me as insensitive and pointless.

I’m thinking of being that parent but I wasn’t actually there and I’ve only seen photos. Has anyone had this at school and can convince me it’s a positive activity? I should say there are no wheelchair users at the school.

OP posts:

User467 · 18/07/2018 12:10

I can see your point but maybe it's about showing them that being in a wheelchair doesn't mean you can't have fun. That it's not just about highlighting the negatives. Maybe they're making wheelchair football a norm at the school so that if there is a child in a chair they don't feel like it is being done just for them?

drspouse · 18/07/2018 12:11

I would say it is OK if a wheelchair football coach is running it. And therefore if they are all right with running it and explain it properly.

footballmum · 18/07/2018 12:12

My DS’ school regularly had wheelchair basketball as an after school club. It was the first one to fill up! There was only one child in the school who was a wheelchair user and this was the only after school club he could do (and he was amazing at it). I think it was a great way of making a physical activity inclusive for him, increasing his friendship group and enabling other children to understand some of the challenges wheelchair users face.

Even if your child’s school has no wheelchair users I see no harm in it as an activity and certainly not “icky”

MrsSnootyPants2018 · 18/07/2018 12:15

I think you're being a little silly.

It's a great way to learn about disability without it seeming depressing and limiting as a lot of wheelchair users can do everyday things just in a slightly different way.

Move on. There's better things to moan and worry about.

Original poster

TokenBritPoshOfCourse · 18/07/2018 12:16

I absolutely get the inclusivity aspect, but there a zero wheelchair users at the school. None.

So it just seems to be a jolly old jape and a bit of appropriation. And I usually hate the term btw, so I’m not being a handwringer.

OP posts:

RoboJesus · 18/07/2018 12:17

It's just a different type of football. They have plenty of able body players that play it for fun. Just like polo and water polo really. Not a big deal

Halfblindbunny · 18/07/2018 12:19

You say you dont know how it was presented to the kids and this is the key part really.
'Isnt it funny pretending not to be able to walk' is not ok
'Here is an example of how sport can be adapted to allow wheelchair users to take part. Can anyone think of other adaptations that we have for people with a disability?" Kids talk about ramps, those bumpy paving slabs etc. Absolutely ok.
You need the context.

Original poster

TokenBritPoshOfCourse · 18/07/2018 12:19

Ok cool. I will put it from my mind as everyone thinks it’s ok. I’m am a terrible over thinker. Thanks.

OP posts:

allertse · 18/07/2018 12:21

I think it's a nice thing to encourage mainstream participation in sports targeted at people with disabilities, as long as it doesn't cause the exclusion of anyone who has a disability.

It also means that people with a disability have the opportunity to make friends through sport with a wider variety of people (the same way able-bodied people can), rather than only being able to participate in sports with other disabled people.

Original poster

TokenBritPoshOfCourse · 18/07/2018 12:21

I’m just basing it on my 6yo saying ‘we played football in wheelchairs and it was really fun’.

Maybe there was a deeper lesson and it went over his head. Ah well.

OP posts:

userlotsanumbers · 18/07/2018 12:22

Sorry, I think you're being precious; it's a good way for children to experience the difficulties of using a wheelchair - yes, even when trying to do something fun - and thus learn something about it at the same time.

Why does learning have to be so serious and earnest before you consider it to be valid?

LegallyBrunet · 18/07/2018 12:26

I’m not sure how it sits with me either. My youngest brother goes to a SEN school and has participated in wheelchair football but it was only the wheelchair using pupils who took part.

0h · 18/07/2018 12:30

I wonder if any of them ended the day thinking how hard it must be to have to use a wheelchair all the time?

I bet every single one came away thinking how much fun they'd had. Being in a wheelchair isn't fun.

Onlyjoinedforthisthread · 18/07/2018 12:37

I'm not sure about wheelchair football but I believe in wheelchair basket ball you are awarded points depending on level of disability so 0 for most disabled up to 5 for no disability and the team has to be below a certain points total at all time so it is a sport for all and fully inclusive

ClaudiaWankleman · 18/07/2018 12:45

Just like polo and water polo really

In what way is it comparable?

MiddlingMum · 18/07/2018 12:48

My brother has a friend who plays wheelchair football. Some of the team are "genuine" wheelchair users, some aren't. They all have fun.

Sleepyblueocean · 18/07/2018 12:50

It depends whether it was done as a proper sports session or let's mess about in a wheelchair.

Trialsmum · 18/07/2018 12:53

In what way is it ‘icky’.

Ds’s school have a TA who is in a wheelchair ( he’s also my friend and one of my very favourite people). He teaches wheelchair basketball and if he’s happy for able bodied children to ‘pretend’ then I don’t see why you should be outraged on his behalf. Having a go for yourself normalises wheelchairs and why can’t being in a wheelchair be fun at times?? Should my friend be miserable at all times? Because I can assure you he’s not, he does all sorts and is making the most of life!

allertse · 18/07/2018 13:58

Also, not all wheelchair users use one all the time. Many people who use wheelchairs can walk, but struggle to do so for long, or can only do so at the expense of other activities. And there are many more people who don't need to use a wheelchair for day to day life, but absolutely can't participate in most non-wheelchair sports.

Even if they did just do it for fun, what exactly is wrong with that if it's not stopping anyone who needs a wheelchair from participating?

BadPolicy · 18/07/2018 14:10

I’m just basing it on my 6yo saying ‘we played football in wheelchairs and it was really fun’.

Actually, at 6 years old, maybe this was the lesson. There are lots of different sports, they tried this one and liked it.

ElevenSmiles · 18/07/2018 15:04

I agree with you OP and I'm the mum of a 5 year old that uses a wheelchair.

wellBeehivedWoman · 18/07/2018 15:14

Surely this is good because if there are (now or in the future) kids in wheelchairs at the school they can join in and their pals know that it's still possible to play sport with a disability?

wellBeehivedWoman · 18/07/2018 15:16

Being in a wheelchair isn't fun.

lots of kids in wheelchairs have plenty of fun, believe me. Surely the point is to illustrate that being in a wheelchair doesn't mean a life of non stop misery, and that it's perfectly possible to be a wheelchair user and play sports and have fun? I just don't see how that's a bad thing?

0h · 18/07/2018 15:47

I see the points people are making but part of me still feels like it's doesn't help people realise that using a wheelchair is hard, it's not all wheeling about playing with your mates. I say this as a wheelchair user (disabled since birth here) btw so am well able to say it isn't fun without getting raised eyebrows.

I can see how it can be a positive thing but also how if not handled well kids will just see it as having a laugh and not take anything else away.

ElevenSmiles · 18/07/2018 15:48

My DS enjoys life but it's harder and more challenging, not something an able bodied person could fully understand, even if they do wheelchair football.

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