Hey, guys!

Sorry for not posting in a while but it’s been a hectic couple of weeks. VARSITY’s Sports Editor asked me to write an article on Archery and Disability for the next issue. Since it might interest you, below is a copy of the article I sent to the editor today. Hope you enjoy.

The fact of being in a wheelchair, often, makes a lot of popular, ‘traditional’ largely inaccessible to wheelchair-users without significant changes to the infrastructure of the sport. While a wheelchair limits the sports you can get involved in, archery is one of those sports where the wheelchair is largely of no consequence to your performance. The very nature of the sport renders one’s wheelchair – often a focal point for divisiveness – virtually irrelevant.

I should point out that I haven’t been to a shoot in the last few weeks but that’s been more because of my schedule than a disinterest in the sport. In fact, since joining UCT Archery last year, I thoroughly enjoy each shoot and would happily spend days on the range. If I’m honest, I think the lack of accommodations that archery makes for wheelchair-users simply because accommodations are largely unnecessary has a lot to do with why I enjoy archery as much as I do. The only ‘accommodations’ that need to be made is the fact that I shoot at a different angle to ‘normal’ archers for the simple reason that it makes it easier for me to draw the bow.

Overall, archery is the type of activity that allows wheelchair-users to take part like anyone else at the same time as being good, indirect therapy. Given that doctors form an intrinsic part of the ‘wheelchair life,’ engaging in fun activities that double as a workout is totally refreshing.

I’ve got something interesting planned for Saturday’s post. If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to use the contact page, leave a comment, or email thedisabilitydiaries@gmail.com.