TO the uninitiated, playing basketball in a wheelchair can be quite a challenge.
Particularly when you are playing alongside someone who is experienced in wheeling around the court, intercepting the ball and accurately throwing goals from their seated position.
Students at Kerang Christian College have discovered that in situations like this wheels can provide more challenges than legs.
Wheelchair-bound athlete, Melanie Adams showed them the finer points of the game on the school’s court.
Ms Adams presented the Wheel Talk School Awareness Program to Years 7 to 12 students to encourage them to think about diversity, acceptance and disability sports.
It also provides students with a greater understanding of the issues facing people with disability.
The program presenters are all actively involved in sport and recreation and live with a disability. They devote time speak with thousands of students each year to raise disability awareness and promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
Year 11 student Richard Shipp said that the game in a wheelchair provided a different perspective.
“It was hard trying to control the wheelchair and the ball,” he said.
Nathaniel Boal believed that the game helped less athletic students compete equally with others.
“It slowed the good ones down a bit and their accuracy was not as good,” he said.
Ms Adams provided students with some insight into what it is like to live with a physical disability.
School principal, Michael Bond said that was a positive and authentic experience for the students.
Mr Bond said that the Australia Bureau of Statistics reveals that about 25 per cent of the Australian population has a disability of some form and this program promotes the fact that living with a disability does not mean not having the ability to engage in a meaningful and active lifestyle.
