Just because you’re in a wheelchair doesn’t mean your activity needs to be limited. Depending on where you live, your city might have lots of fun fitness and recreational activities available to you. This is a great way to stay active and meet new people. We don’t need to tell you all the ways exercise benefits your mind and body and with winter on its way, the social benefits are also pretty amazing!
We’ve put together a list of some accessible sports for London residents to take a look at and learn more about. We’ve pulled a few fun activities from the City of London’s site on Fitness, Recreational and Social Programs for People with Disabilities so you can learn more about some of the activities that are available to you.
Sledge Hockey
Sledge hockey is a sport that allows people with disabilities to play ice hockey. Participants in the game are seated on a sled that has two skate blades on a metal frame which allows a puck to be passed beneath it. Sledge hockey is a popular sport in the Paralympic Games and across the world. If you live in London, Ontario, the London Blizzard Sledge Hockey Club is a great place to play this fun sport. There are leagues for male and female players starting at age 7 and up. There are also social functions put on by the club and other exciting events.
Wheelchair Basketball
Wheelchair basketball is one of the most popular disabled sports that is played across the world. It is governed by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation and played by people across the world in the Paralympics and Wheelchair Basketball World Championship. Even if you’re not at pro level, this game is so much fun to play. For London residents, start with the London Wheelchair Basketball Association. They have teams and leagues and accept players in wheelchairs or with knee or lower extremity impairments.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is a therapeutic activity for children and adults alike and offers many different benefits to the rider. Physically, riding a horse can increase stamina and physical fitness in the rider and emotionally, it can give riders a strong sense of independence. The social benefits of interacting with other riders and volunteers are huge, plus being around horses even has an educational component to it as well. In London, SARI Therapeutic Riding is a great place for people of all ages to ride horses. They have riding lessons during the year and also offer summer horse camps for the kids.
Have you tried an accessible sport in London? Tell us what your favourite activity to do is!