Disability Living asks; Is Wheelchair Curling for you?

Is Wheelchair Curling for You?

 

Did you know that there are many sports that people with disabilities can take part in? It’s true. In fact, several of these disability-accessible sports, including wheelchair tennis, sledge hockey, and swimming, have been discussed on the Disability Living blog this week. What’s your favorite accessible sport?

Wheelchair curling is an accessible sport not everyone is familiar with.

Have you ever heard of “wheelchair curling”? If not, here’s a quick definition: wheelchair curling is a game in which an individual “slides granite donuts down a sheet of ice towards a circular target, and hope they end up closer to the centre than those thrown by the opponent.” Wheelchair curling “donuts” weigh an estimated 40 pounds a piece — that is one aspect of the game that makes it difficult. What’s more, the game target is 40 yards from the players. Clearly, wheelchair curling is a challenging sport.

Wheelchair curling is a great accessible sport for anybody in a wheelchair.

Wheelchair curling is a game that many people with different types of disabilities enjoy. Some players have spina bifida, MS, amputations, paraplegia, quadriplegia, etc. But “the great thing about wheelchair curling is that just about anyone with access to a wheelchair can play.” This makes the game one of the most disability friendly of any accessible sport. Another awesome benefit of wheelchair curling is that there is not much special equipment required for purchase.

Interested in wheelchair curling?

If you’d like to get involved in this fun and unique accessible sport, visit http://www.wheelchaircurling.com/curling.htm — this webpage is full of helpful tips for getting started on the ice.

Disability Living hopes individuals with various disabilities live active lives; that’s why we discuss the physical and emotional benefits of exercise on the DL blog.

We know how difficult it can be for people with disabilities to get the recommended amount of physical activity. This past week’s posts have been aimed at encouraging wheelchair users and people with other types of disabilities to exercise more regularly. Have you read the DL posts from this past week? If not, take a moment to skim through a few of them:
– http://www.disabilityliving.ca/disability-canada-what-wheelchair-rugby/
– http://www.disabilityliving.ca/disability-canada-exercises-emotional-benefits-wheelchair-users/
– http://www.disabilityliving.ca/disability-canada-physical-benefits-exercise-paraplegics/
Sources:
http://www.wheelchaircurling.com/curling.htm
Image made available by adrian8_8 on Flickr through Creative Commons License.

*Please note: All research for this article is compiled from direct and third party sources. Mention of programs, organizations and companies does not imply support of The National Benefit Authority. Pictures are for creative purposes only; they are not intended to sell or promote products for the NBA and belong to the accredited individual, organization or company.

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