TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - "Now we can speak": wheelchair sport participation in areas of armed conflict
JO  - Adapted physical activity quarterly
A1  - Kirk, T. N.
A1  - McKay, Cathy
A1  - Holland, Katherine
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - This study sought to understand the lived experiences of wheelchair basketball athletes from low- and middle-income countries of recent or current armed conflict and the meaning that they ascribed to their participation. Wheelchair basketball athletes (N = 108) from eight national teams participated in semistructured focus-group interviews. Study data were analyzed thematically using an interpretive descriptive approach. Three themes were developed: "I can do anything I want; not only basketball," self-concept changes through sport participation; "Now they see me as a respectable person," societal belonging through sport; and "I have motivated other disabled people," influence on nonparticipating disabled persons. The findings indicated that participation in wheelchair sports may help disabled persons see themselves as capable individuals on the court and in aspects of daily living, perhaps even peer role models for other disabled persons in their communities and countries.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1543-2777
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2023-0144
ID  - ref1
ER  -