UVA Today

“We thought this was a good opportunity to invite students who normally don’t experience adaptive sports to try out some sports and highlight some popular Paralympic sports students could see this summer watching the Games,” Lowery said.

With the help of the UVA wheelchair tennis club and wrestling teams and local athletes, about 50 students were introduced to three different sports – wheelchair rugby, wheelchair pickleball and wheelchair basketball. With money from the Equipment Trust Fund, 15 sport wheelchairs were purchased, bringing the total to 23, which allows for larger groups to participate in adaptive sports opportunities.

“Some students were hesitant at first, but everyone left with a smile,” Lowery said.

In addition to the experience of playing the sports, Lowery said events like this help grow an understanding that “para-athletes are athletes.”

“A big misconception of adaptive and Paralympic sports is that they are ‘less than’ – less challenging or less engaging compared to more common sports. Hopefully after playing on Friday, students know that these sports exist and can recognize that sport is simply sport, and most importantly that adaptive sports is sport.”

You can catch all the action from Paris when the Paralympic Games are held Aug. 28 through Sept. 8.