An Evening With The Memphis Rollin' Grizzlies

In my Neurological Aspects of Occupational Performance class, I was given the opportunity to attend a Memphis Rollin' Grizzlies practice.  This is a wheelchair basketball team that is sponsored by the Memphis Grizzlies basketball team.  They are a division I team in the NWBA (National Wheelchair Basketball Association).  Their coach, who was also in a wheelchair, came up to our class and educated us on the game before they began practice.  The team was made up of men of different sizes, ages, and race.  One of the players even played for his college team under a full scholarship as well.  Some of the men out there were able to ambulate properly without a wheelchair, but still got in one to play.  On the other end, one of the players was a double lower extremity amputee.  When the coach told us they would play for an hour, I was in disbelief that they would be able to perform for such a long period of time.  I was amazed at the amount of upper extremity strength the men had.  Their arms were in constant motion whether they were handling the ball or quickly speeding down the court in their chairs.  The whole time I was so nervous that one of the men would tip over with the speed they were going.  I was surprised that they maintained the pace of a regular basketball game while playing with such passion during the entire hour.  This experience has been another reminder to never say never.  These men were not playing basketball immediately after their injury, but instead chose to persevere through the hardships of paraplegia to pursue a meaningful activity.