Wheelchair hoops game boosts understanding

Participants gather for a group photograph prior to the wheelchair basketball game at the Naden Athletic Centre on Dec. 3. The wheelchair sports event was part of CFB Esquimalt’s recognition of International Day of Disabled Persons 2019. Left: Base Commander Captain (Navy) Sam Sader shares a laugh with Simon Cass, BC Wheelchair Basketball provincial coach, prior to the start of the wheelchair basketball game. Photos by Peter Mallett, Lookout

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

Base employees shot, dribbled, and passed the basketball up and down the court in an unfamiliar position – sitting in a wheelchair.

Approximately 20 military personnel and civilian employees got a new perspective on the intense, athletic competition when they took part in a wheelchair basketball game on Dec. 3 at the Naden Athletic Centre.

The event was organized by the Defence Advisory Group Persons with Disability to recognize International Day of Persons With Disabilities.

Nicole Schaaf, National Manager Office of Disability Management and Champion for Defence Advisory Group Persons with Disability, helped facilitate the event with non-profit B.C. Wheelchair Basketball. During the pre-event address, she noted that approximately 3.8 million Canadians are living with disabilities, and two per cent of military members and six per cent of DND civilian employees have some form of disability.

She also took part in the game and said she was impressed with the enthusiasm and effort exhibited by all participants.

“This has been an amazing experience and very humbling for all of us,” said Schaaf. “Many of the athletes who participated are experienced at basketball but were not able to make a shot. I think this was a fantastic eye-opener for the challenges that people with disabilities face.”

The wheelchair “greenhorns” were schooled in the skills and techniques needed to operate a wheelchair by Simon Cass, B.C. Wheelchair Basketball Provincial coach, and four students from Pender Island Elementary School.

“My injury opened my eyes and made me realize that people with disabilities have all sorts of difficulties, including things that most people take for granted like opening doorways or getting up stairs,” said Major Patrick Levis of the Canadian Armed Forces Transition Unit. An illness has prevented him from using his quad muscle, and he uses a knee brace to walk.

“This event today was very important because I think it sensitized the chain of command and all people at the base about people with disabilities and what we need to overcome and how policies can be changed to make things easier for members with disabilities,” he added.

After the basketball segment was complete, participants enjoyed a wheelchair floor hockey game followed by a meet and greet event.