Have you ever thought about what life is like as a quadriplegic? Just ask Talbot Kennedy or his coach and occupational therapist, Amy Bohn.
Talbot Kennedy became a quadriplegic on his last day of high school when he tried a trick on his trampoline which ended in disaster. After landing on his head and injury to his upper neck, he was paralyzed from the chest down. Now he is in a wheelchair, but he keeps active by playing rugby with other quadriplegics. Kennedy is part of the Smash Rugby team at a rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, and the team participates in tournaments as part of the United States Quad Rugby Association.
Occupational therapist and coach, Amy Bohn, says that "They learn to live again, and learn to live in a different way but realize that there's life after their injury, and they can do all the things they before."
Kennedy is embracing his new "family" of friends that he participates with. He is still able to be an athlete even though he can't do the same activities as he did before. Working hard and working together as a team has really helped boost his confidence. He will be the first to tell you that rugby is not an easy sport at all. The full-on contact with other players creates a tough and intense environment. By doing this, they get a great cardiovascular workout because they still have to strengthen themselves.
I feel that Kennedy is very inspiring to anyone who has dealt with a serious injury that affects them in some way physically and emotionally. He is still able to be independent, live alone, go to college, participate in athletics, and build up a new life once again. "You get so much confidence in yourself by doing this. ...It's a wonderful sport." Kennedy expresses "I don't know where I'd be without it." He really is an amazing person, and I admire is hard work and determination during such a hard time in his life.
The thought of just one wrong move could turn you into a quadriplegic is scary. I had a friend who jumped into a pool and shattered a couple of her vertebrae and they didn’t know if she was going to walk again after the surgery. Luckily, a miracle happened and through a lot of therapy movement in her arms and legs came back. Rugby is such an intense sport; it is great and amazing they have leagues for quadriplegics. Having sporting leagues for them is a great self-esteem booster and shows that with determination you can achieve anything you put your heart to.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great thing for quadriplegics to do. So many people that are paralyzed have inspiring stories and make you feel like you can do anything that you want to. They could just do nothing and feel sorry for themselves and be miserable or they can be active and join together to be a team player and do something good.
ReplyDeleteI can see how playing rugby would boost their confidence. It also sounds like it is a good team builder and yet it’s still physical enough that it’s better than their average workout or therapy session. It sounds like Talbot is taking a bad situation and making the best of it and really living his life how he wants to despite this physical state.