An Overview of Wheelchair Basketball With Implications for Life Care Planning

Abstract

Wheelchair basketball is a sport that can benefitindividuals with lower extremity impairment. Benefitsinclude improved and enhanced physical and psychologicalhealth along with opportunities for socialization. As a wellrecognizedand available sport in our communities. Life Careplanners should consider wheelchair basketball programswhen making recommendations to for adolescents and youngadults who are interested in being active.Wheelchair basketball was created as a result of WorldWar II veterans returning to the United States withrehabilitation needs. These men were able-bodied whileserving their country but returned in large numbers withfrostbite/cold injuries, radiation injuries, paraplegia and/oramputation; conditions that commonly limited their ability towalk (Veterans and Their Needs, n.d.). Veterans wereinterested in becoming more active while recuperating andsought outlets for improving their lives. Prior to World WarII, people commonly died after having a spinal cord injury(SCI) but with the advent of penicillin and sulfa drugs and abetter understanding of complications (i.e., urinary tract andskin infections), individuals survived (National Spinal CordInjury Association [NSCIA], 1995).