On Saturday, March 30, the CRRC in Niverville will host an Accessible Sport Expo. The event is put together by Accessible Sport Connections (ASC), a non-profit that works to provide those with disabilities opportunities to participate in sports and recreational activities that are adapted to their needs.
Jared Funk, a volunteer with ASC, explains what the organization can do.
“For those who want to try any adaptive recreation activities, we can direct them to the right place,” says Funk. “Say that you want to try horse riding. We know a person who trains horses [and can deal] with disabilities. And the same applies to archery, baseball, soccer, or almost every sport or recreational activity.”
Last year, ASC held their first Accessibility Expo at the University of Manitoba. This year, Funk suggested Niverville as an ideal location for their first rural expo, since the CRRC has so much room and is very accessible.
Funk stressed that this event is for everyone and anyone. Those with physical limitations, like wheelchair users, may come to mind first—but that’s just one of the many groups who could find this expo helpful. Children and adults of any age with nearly any limitation will find something they enjoy. Whether seniors with reduced walking abilities, folks on the autism spectrum, those with low vision or are hard of hearing, or people with cognitive differences, all are welcome!
The expo will showcase 32 different activities. There will also be therapy animals and a quiet room for those who need a place to regulate.
Funk has had a passion for sport his entire life. At 18 years old, he was in a car accident that landed him in a wheelchair. He says that after his accident he thought his athletic years were over.
“I played all kinds of sports beforehand, so I was initially bummed because I couldn’t play sports again. That was my mindset, because that’s what we kind of think as soon as you have a disability, that all these options are limited to you now. But when I was in the hospital, I was introduced to wheelchair rugby, which is a very aggressive wheelchair sport. It’s full contact. And, long story short, I was able to get back on a team.”
Funk says that playing wheelchair rugby helped him to become physically stronger after his accident. Just as importantly, it helped his social and mental health as well.
Eventually Funk took his rugby skills to the Paralympics—three times.
Braelynn Bodman is an eight-year-old wheelchair user in Niverville. Her mother Maylia is thrilled to have a chance to attend this expo in their hometown.
“[Braelynn] is at an age where she is starting to hear from friends at school and daycare about the sports and other activities they participate in after school and on weekends, and she would like to take part in something also,” says Maylia. “For a child that uses a wheelchair, it can be quite difficult for parents to simply find something that is accessible, and any activities here are often held in Winnipeg. It is not always easy or convenient to travel into the city to try one accessible sport that may not end up working out well for the child’s needs or abilities. So attending an expo where there are several different things to see or try, and having it right within town, is very exciting.”
She also points out that holding an event like this sends a message to her daughter, and any other citizens with disabilities, that they are valued members of the community who deserve to have opportunities for recreation as well.
Braelynn has recently become involved in Volt Hockey, which has been brought to Winnipeg by Variety Manitoba. Volt is played in a specially designed electric sport chair that is operated by a joystick.
Variety representatives will be at the Accessibility Expo to promote Volt Hockey and showcase the many ways it can be adapted to those with a variety of different abilities.
The expo will be held at the CRRC on March 30 from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. Sledge hockey will run from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. There is no registration required and no fee to attend.
