WheelPower have been providing opportunities for disabled people in sport for over 75 years. WheelPower began because of Sir Ludwig Guttmann, when he hosted the first Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948. 16 injured service men and women took part in an archery competition. Guttman's aim was to rehabilitate those affected by a spinal cord injury through movement, activity and sport. From this, the Paralympics was born.
Ludwig Guttmann's work lives on through WheelPower, with the continuation to host sports events for disabled people at Stoke Mandeville Stadium and across the UK. Disabled children and newly disabled adults can take part in our events, meeting coaches and like minded people, playing wheelchair sports and testing out specialist equipment.
Laura attended the WheelPower - Inter Spinal Unit Games in 2023 with the Belfast team. In October 2022 Laura sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury after being involved in a car accident.
Prior to her injury, Laura lived an active lifestyle with Irish Dancing, Swimming, Yoga and the gym being part of her fitness regime so it was no surprise that once discharged from hospital, Laura wanted to get involved with sport and physical activity again.
Here’s Laura thoughts on the impact attending the games had on her:
You are told that your whole mobility has completely changed and then you see yourself doing things that you never thought you'd be able to do, it's such an amazing sense of achievement. When you're in the hospital bed you're like my whole life has changed, nothing's going to be the same … so to see sport opening so many doors for you, is an amazing feeling
Laura's story is just one example of the transformative effect that WheelPower's work has on those with a physical disability. Taking part in the Clyde & Co Stoke Mandeville Experience, fundraising and donating, you can help transform the lives of disabled people through movement, activity and sport.
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