Jack's Wheelchair Basketball Journey

Hello! I am Jack, I'm from/live in Yorkshire and I am currently 29 years old.

I started playing wheelchair basketball when I was 13 years old following a life changing mastoid operation. Shortly after the surgery my balance went and I was unable to stand unaided or walk by myself. It was a pretty massive change for a 6 foot rugby playing and Mixed Martial Arts athlete that I was at the time.

Within a few months of my this having this disability, it was suggested that I try wheelchair basketball and my life changed in ways I did not know possible. I now had a reason to get out of bed and the exercise helped lift my mental health, as well as stopped me from becoming deeply unfit and reclusive.

Needless to say I loved the sport and was quickly playing for the under 19's and then into the adult league the following season, whilst still being around 13-14 years old.

My disability did not allow me to have an international classification and at the time it meant that I could not become an international player, whether that was for GB or out playing for a European team in the best leagues in the world.

I progressed as far as I could within the national league and even played for GB for a friendly Under 23’s Tournament in Italy at the age of 16. This was without a full classification, and was unfortunately the only international tournament I could attend.

I was using a day wheelchair as I was unable to stand, but determined to succeed with my life I went to University. I helped set up and run a University team to compete in the University Championships during my first couple of years there and then left the sport to concentrate on my studies.

During lockdown I felt the need to start playing again and looked up my old club and was welcomed back to the club by the people I used to play with. I had found that my sports wheelchair had shrunk and I worked very hard to make myself fit back into it. But it wasn't built correctly for me anymore, even without the issue of needing to get back into shape.

However, last season I was unable to compete as I had a major disc issue in my spine, that I had previously had issues with. It started to become more of an issue and the pain was far more than I had ever felt before in my spine and legs. Also, the feeling in my right leg was being lost little by little every week. I went on to have spinal surgery and although this has taken care of the immediate crisis that I had in my back all the underlying issues are still there. I still get a lot of pain, as well as some permanent lost feeling in my right leg, and even difficult bending and moving due to the issue in my spine. These issues are bad enough that my sports wheelchair is no longer suitable for me to play competitively on any level and even causes a lot of pain in my spine and throughout my legs.

I am now looking to fund a new sports chair for myself. One that is built to specifications that will ensure it causes as little pain as possible, as well as allows me to move around at my full ability. I also want to be able to perhaps play out in Europe for a year, in one of the best leagues in the world. Now that my spine and legs are permanently damaged, I believe I will achieve a full classification, allowing me to do so.

My current fundraising goal is for £5000, though my sports wheelchair could end up costing more than this. Anything I raise over my initial goal, will go towards any further costs involved with the order of a new wheelchair, and towards any spare parts I may need to keep the chair in good order.

Any help that you feel you can give would be amazing and very much appreciated. With the help of everyone, I will be able to properly participate in the sport, which is something I truly need in my life. Thank you for reading what I have to say, and thank you for your potential contribution!

- Jack Waring