The first video I viewed was about a girl named Ashley with cerebral palsy. Due to this condition she utilized a wheelchair on a daily basis. She explains what its like being a college student in a wheelchair. Below are some of the notes I took when watching the video.
YouTube Video on what its like to be a college student with a disability.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr5hHmZbQHw
- She put a focus on the fact that its not that she can't do things but that she needs to find an accommodation that suits her needs so that she is able to complete tasks and activities.
- Due to overcrowding of areas she needs to leave for classes early so that she has enough time to get through areas with her chair.
- Taking the elevator is sometimes a struggle because it may be in use for others that are able to take the stairs or it can be out of order at times.
- Construction on campus can create a really difficult situation when trying to get from place to place on campus.
- Weather such as snow or rain can sometimes be a really big problem if areas are not cleared properly.
- She talked about how she feels that people talk down to her because of her wheelchair and that they see her as someone with a disability first instead of for who she is.
- She feels that men in general are scared of her and don't talk to her because of the wheelchair.
- She ended the video by speaking about how she feels that everyone has some type of disability or something they struggle with its just that hers is visible and other are not.
- She wishes that people would not assume things about her based on her wheelchair but just ask her for her opinion.
The next video I watched was about able bodied individuals at Trinity College who spent a day in a wheelchair to get a better perspective on what someone who utilizes a wheelchair goes through. Below are some notes I took when watching the video.
Trinity College: Day in a wheelchair Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMV_mLEY_Ek
- They wanted people to know that despite being in the wheelchair they were the same people they were before. They felt like people looked at them differently.
- They felt that those in wheelchairs are incredible strong people because they adapt to make things work for themselves.
- They felt people were not as friendly to them when they were in the wheelchair and got out of their way without communicating as much.
- They think that people should be treated for who they are as people and not based on their disability.
- Lastly, they felt that the experience would have been better if they would have been able to spent a whole week in a wheelchair instead of just a day.
After watching this video I realized that these individuals got out of the experience what I believe I would have taken. It seems like they felt less like themselves and that they were treated differently due to being in a wheelchair. If I were put in this situation I believe that I would feel very self-conscience due to being in a wheelchair and like everyone was watching me all the time. The idea of being visible different than everyone else around you is a very scary thought to live with on a daily basis.
In addition to looking up some resources on what it would be like to be in a wheelchair I also wanted to see what was available for those in a wheelchair that still wanted to pursue athletics. Below is a website that I found that has resources, news coverage and teams for various sports for those with a physical disability. Although much less accessible than your typical school sports or athletics it was still great to see the variety of sports available to those with a physical disability.
In the Ohio area specifically I also found a website about quad-rugby. Here on the OU campus we just hosted a quad-rugby tournament in the Ping Center. Here is the e-mail with information about the tournament
Hey Bobcats!
My name is Dustin Gibson and I am a member of the student organization FourPlay!,which raises money and spreads awareness of the sport Quad Rugby which is played by athletes who have had spinal cord injuries and are wheelchair bound. Please take a moment and read the following information about this amazing fundraising tournament!
Event: FourPlay! Quad Rugby 8th Annual pay-to-play Quad Rugby Tournament!
When: Saturday October 4, 2014 with morning and afternoon playing sessions
Where: Charles J. Ping Center located on the campus of Ohio University
Sign up: Gather 4-6 players per team and register to play by contacting Grant Woodard at gw206408@ohio.edu or Dustin Gibson at dg238107@ohio.edu . Please see attachment for registration forms.
Cost: $100 for 4 players, $110 for 5 players, and $120 for 6 players with all proceeds going directly to the Ohio Buckeye Blitz
About: FourPlay! is a student run organization raising money for The Ohio Buckeye Blitz, Ohio’s only semi-pro Quad Rugby or wheelchair rugby team. It is played by athletes with spinal cord injuries, who compete in wheelchairs that are customized for high impact “tackles” and speed. The Buckeye Blitz travels to play in tournaments around the country, and as do all amateur sports teams has to raise money for tournament fees, equipment, wheelchairs, and other traveling costs. Many of these costs can make it difficult for the team and players to participate. The cost of a specialized wheelchair that the players need is around $4,000. All proceeds from the tournament go directly to the team to aid them with costs from the sport.
http://usqra.org/players_corner
Buckeye Blitz Ohio Team
Website that shows adaptive sports for individuals with physical disabilities.
http://www.disabledsportsusa.org/resources/adaptive-sports/
Check out all of the adaptive sports to choose from!
 Archery |  Cycling |  Handcycling |  Rafting |  Skateboarding |  Surfing |  Triathlon |
 Baseball |  Cross-Country Skiing |  Hiking |  Rock Climbing |  Sled Hockey |  Swimming |  Volleyball |
 Basketball |  Curling |  Hunting |  Rowing |  Snowboarding |  Table Tennis |  Waterskiing |
 Biathlon |  Downhill Skiing |  Kayaking |  Running |  Snowshoeing |  Tai Chi |  Wheelchair Racing |
 Bocce |  Equestrian |  Martial Arts |  Sailing |  Soccer |  Tennis |  Windsurfing |
 Bowling |  Fishing |  Mountain Biking |  Scuba |  Strength Training | Track and Field |  Yoga |
 Canoeing |  Golf |  Paddling |  Shooting |
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