Spinning wheels and life stories
On wheels is not always easier, as Year 9 found out when Wheelchair Sports NSW Roadshow demonstrated the tricks and challenges of playing basketball in wheelchairs before letting the girls have a turn.
The Roadshow team raises awareness of wheelchair sport, builds understanding of people with disabilities, encourages integration, and incorporates road safety messages because most people get into wheelchairs because of road accidents.
鈥淭hrills not spills鈥 was the working title of the PDHPE day which wove some strong messages through physical activity including fast and funky Zumba, talk sessions and a play. Year 9鈥檚 wheelchair basketball game was at a snail鈥檚 pace compared to competitive teams鈥 games.
鈥淚t鈥檚 fun to spin the chair but very hard to judge how much arm strength to use to throw a ball accurately because you are not using your legs or any of your usual momentum,鈥 said Lucy who plays basketball.
There were clear messages about driving: keep both hands on the wheel so don鈥檛 text, don鈥檛 fiddle with sound system - and don鈥檛 drive when drinking or even when tired.
So perhaps don鈥檛 drive after the Zumba class - which moved to great music and would boost anyone鈥檚 dance-floor confidence but was tiring to watch, even for mere observers.
A local visiting group told personal stories of life difficulties created or magnified by use of drugs and alcohol. Towards the end of the day, Brainstorm Productions presented 鈥淐heap Thrills鈥, about a couple of friends鈥 wild times fraternising with alcohol and other drugs before one becomes suicidal. The last session was a discussion of a very full, serious yet active day.