By Gretchen Teske
On Saturday, March 19th, 2016, Concordia University Chicago had the opportunity to host the Milwaukee Eagles and Chicago Cougars for the first wheelchair lacrosse clinic in Illinois. Concordia’s women’s lacrosse team helped run the clinic along with coaches Brian Patterson and Liz Blake who organized drills and exercises for the players who were of all ages, gender and ability. At the end of the day, the teams performed a scrimmage and allowed the Concordia Chicago women to get suited up and try their hand at it. The clinic proved to be a learning experience for all as some were just learning the craft and others were learning from a new perspective.
The clinic was sponsored by National PVA, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Vaughn Chapter PVA. Developed in 1946, the organization was started with the specific goal to help veterans with spinal cord injury or dysfunction. The group was assembled when several World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries, returned home to a society who welcomed them but had few ways to help them adapt to their new lives. Together, they created Paralyzed Veterans of America to fight for civil rights and medical research for the disabled.
According to their website, they take great pride in being the “leading advocate for:
- -Quality health care for our members,
- –Research and education addressing spinal cord injury and dysfunction,
- –VA benefits available as a result of our members’ military service,
- –Civil rights and opportunities that maximize the independence of our members.”
Their mission is to empower these heroes with the tools and confidence they need so they can enjoy the freedom and independence they bravely fought for. They are represented by 72 national offices and 34 chapters and in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
PVA offers a variety of sports, from billiards to rowing, to offer both male and female veterans of all ages an opportunity for fun. The Paralyzed Veterans of America have teamed up with Wheelchair Lacrosse USA to offer clinics, much like the one Concordia hosted. The rule are nearly the same as when the game is played by able-bodied athletes, aside from a few modifications. The wheelchair version requires a no bounce ball and is played in a hockey rink instead of a field.
Although it is typically seen as a paraplegic sport, the society welcomes veterans with varying levels of disease and injury to participate. Able bodied veterans were allowed to play as long as they agreed to participate using a wheelchair. The clinic lasted two days and began with simple drills to exercise the essentials in lacrosse: catching, passing, and defense. At the end of the clinic, the teams split to their own sides and the Eagles and Cougars faced off in a scrimmage of their own.
CUC’s women’s lacrosse team was invited to participate in this scrimmage as a reward for helping with the clinic and found the experience very rewarding. Not only did they get to participate using all of the gear that goes with playing on a men’s lacrosse team, they were able to experience the game in a whole new way. Senior Sonja Sorensen summed up her experience with gratitude: “The wheelchair lacrosse was definitely worth seeing and experiencing. I have so much respect for these people and it was amazing to share the day and learn from each other.”
