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Original poster

Wheelchair basketball, WTF?

104 replies

BelleClapper · 13/07/2021 15:19

DS(9) had sports day today. He’s just come running out of school asking if we can buy a wheelchair because he’s enjoyed playing wheelchair basketball this afternoon.

I’m a bit at a loss. They 100% do not have a wheelchair user in their class. How is this an ok thing? All he’s going on about is how much fun it is and that he wants to get a wheelchair.

Am I missing something? What’s the benefit of this? This just feels like weird disability appropriation for fun. Like LARPing at being disabled.

Confused
OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 13/07/2021 15:20

That’s certainly odd.

LadyCatStark · 13/07/2021 15:22

It’s just trying to raise awareness. My friend is a TA and he uses a wheelchair and he’s been running wheelchair basketball at DS’s primary school for years. He’s an inspiration and the kids love it.

KrisAkabusi · 13/07/2021 15:22

Could they have had a wheelchair basketball player in to show them the sport?

NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 13/07/2021 15:22

Oh gosh that definitely doesn’t sound right.

Definitely wheelchair and not wheely chair? We used to race each other round on the office chairs at an old job when it was a slow afternoon.

Notimeforaname · 13/07/2021 15:23

They do it in schools here too. To raise awareness for those with disabilities.

Chilver · 13/07/2021 15:23

Maybe the instructor was in a wheelchair? I don't have an issue with it as it raises awareness that not everyone is the same; good opportunity to have a chat about yes, it was fun to play wheelchair basketball as a one off, but lets think about all the challenges a wheelchair user must face day in, day out?

Notimeforaname · 13/07/2021 15:24

To raise money for charity events too. I admit it's odd that the child now wants a wheelchair..maybe the he missed the point of the exercise?

Akire · 13/07/2021 15:26

It is a “thing” lots of teams don’t have enough people for proper events and kids to play against so it “levels” the abilities out for kids who need one full time. Obviously I don’t know how this translates to competitions and the like but means some kids can take part where wouldn’t before. Plus not many activities that encourage disabled and non disabled kids to mix so this helps too.

KeepSmiling89 · 13/07/2021 15:26

It is unusual given that nobody in class is a wheelchair user, but not a big deal. As someone said, it's all about raising awareness. It's something different as well - I know I'd be more interested in this than a sack race or egg and spoon race at my school sports day.

Come to think about it, why should wheelchair basketball be restricted to those who are physically disabled...?

WiddlinDiddlin · 13/07/2021 15:28

I'd assume its your son who has somewhat missed the point, and not his school trying to somehow brainwash children into wanting to be disabled...

Is it NOT ok to teach kids that being disabled is ok, disabled people still have fun, do sports, achieve stuff, work, etc?

What's your plan, teach him nothing about disability unless or until it directly affects him? Or teach him that disability is something to be horrified about, scared of, etc etc?

As a wheelchair user, when a kid thinks my chair is cool, I like that - yes, yes it fucking is, its cool as it lets me do fun stuff, and every day boring stuff too.

saveforthat · 13/07/2021 15:29

15:22NotExactlyHappyToHelp Grin

KeepSmiling89 · 13/07/2021 15:29

Also, I don't think it's having a laugh at those in wheelchairs. I remember I broke my leg and arm when I was 12 and spent a bit of time in a wheelchair. When my friends came to visit me, they were excited to get to sit in my wheelchair and have their photos taken. They were just excited to do something they didn't usually get to do...they weren't mocking me or anything.

Schrutesbeets · 13/07/2021 15:30

Sounds like they're probably trying to normalise it. I think it's a great idea.

mogtheexcellent · 13/07/2021 15:31

DD got to try some paralympic sports on their sports day last week. It was fun and she enjoyed seeing how sports can be played even if you are not as mobile.

DD is terrible at PE so it gave her a nice confidence boost.

SuperstoreFan · 13/07/2021 15:31

I can't see anything wrong with it, it's good to raise awareness.

moynomore · 13/07/2021 15:31

It's to raise awareness and show children that being in a wheelchair doesn't mean people with disabilities can't do lots of cool things too. YABU.

alexdgr8 · 13/07/2021 15:32

um, it's not limited to those who are physically disabled.
it's limited to those playing in a wheelchair, which makes it a level playing field.

Sirzy · 13/07/2021 15:32

Some wheelchair sports you don’t need to be disabled to partake.

Anything that helps raise awareness of disability and disability sports has to be good in my opinion, especially if that isn’t something the children experience in day to day life

Cooldryplace · 13/07/2021 15:34

@alexdgr8

um, it's not limited to those who are physically disabled. it's limited to those playing in a wheelchair, which makes it a level playing field.
Is that right? You can compete in wheelchair sports, even if able bodied? I don't think it is.
TurquoiseDragon · 13/07/2021 15:35

I've tried out the specialised wheelchairs used for this, and it can be great fun. It's also very challenging.

Original poster
BelleClapper · 13/07/2021 15:36

I mean, it’s entirely possible that DS has just missed the point. And I get the idea about normalising disability.

But he’s just taken from it that wheelchairs are fun and he wants one. It doesn’t sound like they had any sort of talk attached to it but maybe he just didn’t listen

OP posts:
WiddlinDiddlin · 13/07/2021 15:37

For basket ball it used to be the case that the team had to have under a certain number of points, with players being given points based on the severity of their disability.

So long as they were under i think, 14 points.. they could have some players who were 1 and some who were 4.5 (so minimally or not at all disabiled).

That has recently changed and its caused some uproar within wheelchair basketball as they really liked being VERY inclusive, mixing both genders and levels of disability but it was a case of change or get booted out of teh Paralympics...

Akire · 13/07/2021 15:38

In the paralympics you only allowed say 15 points on the court at any time. So someone with minor ankle injury would be a 4. Someone who limited from shoulders down would be a 1 so both teams are evened out in abilities.

Cloudninenine · 13/07/2021 15:38

I think it’s intended to show how being in a wheelchair doesn’t mean you can’t participate in sport. Children learn best by doing, so it gives them an opportunity to participate in sport in a different way and gain some perspective of sport as a wheelchair user too. I think it’s a good thing really, anything which tackles the idea that being in a wheelchair makes you fundamentally different and unable to fully participate in sports is great.