Blogs: EFDS takes a look at an A-Z of accessible sporting opportunities
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday through the year.
In 2016 we’ll be taking a look at an A-Z of accessible sporting and fitness opportunities available to disabled people. This week we’re taking a look back at the blogs in the series so far, featuring angling, boccia and climbing.
Angling – Perry Davis
I’m currently a resident with Mental Healthcare Services at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. As well as my engagement in therapeutic activities, I identified angling as something I would like to do, both at this stage of my life and post-discharge.
Angling helps me feel relaxed and chilled out, and it’s nice to be away from the Unit in a different environment. I find when I’m fishing I just think about the fish, and this gives me a break from other worries and concerns.
When I’m fishing it gives me time to recharge my batteries, and when I return to the Unit I feel like I have had a meaningful day with a sense of achievement and fulfilment.
Boccia – Louis
I wasn’t strong enough for wheelchair basketball, not fast enough for wheelchair racing and not agile enough for wheelchair tennis. I love sport, I want to be the best and sadly I didn’t really have that chance, or the opportunity, because of the nature of my disability.
But that was before boccia. Now I’ve been given a chance and I’ve made the most of it. I play at school, I play at home and I play against anyone.
I like boccia because there is so much to it. When to attack? When to defend? What shot to play next? Lay-up? Lob? Knock-on? You also need the technical ability to pull off your desired shot.
Climbing – John Churcher
Climbing is not a sport that you would immediately think of doing if you have a disability.
But there is absolutely no reason why you can’t have a go, whether you have a physical or sensory impairment – and of course there is also no age restriction.
I am registered blind and wear two hearing aids. I took up the sport of climbing six years ago at the age of 36 when a friend invited me along to a local climbing wall.
Paraclimbing, as the sport is known for disabled participants, is a growing sport and is a great activity for your body and mind. You can make it as easy or as hard as you like, and it gives you a full workout from head to toe.
