Information bulletin
Paralympic medalists inspire people with newly acquired disabilities to “Have a Go” at wheelchair sports
Vancouver, BC – When Trevor Hirschfield was 16 years old he never imagined himself a Paralympian. His road to Rio started on a logging road on Vancouver Island, when his van slid down an embankment into a tree.
Trevor was paralyzed below the neck. He spent six months at GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre. It was his recreation therapist and the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, Duncan Campbell, who encouraged him to “Have a Go” at wheelchair sports.
Fifteen years later as he prepares for his third Paralympics in Rio, he will make a stop at GF Strong to encourage people with newly acquired disabilities to “Have a Go” at wheelchair sports. Trevor is the co-captain of Team Canada’s wheelchair rugby team. He has competed in two Paralympic Games, winning a bronze medal in Beijing in 2008 and a silver medal four years later in London.
“When I was at GF Strong, I wasn’t so sure about wheelchair sports, but I had played sports before my accident and I really missed the team environment,” says Trevor. “It was my recreation therapist who motivated me so I want to be able to motivate the next generation of athletes.”
Please join Trevor Hirschfield and other Paralympians, many whom are GF Strong Alumni, in a demonstration of wheelchair sports in a fun, safe, and supportive environment.
Date: August 30, 2016
Time: 3 p.m.
Place: GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, 4225 Laurel Street, Vancouver, B.C.
Who:
Trevor Hirschfield: Co-captain Team Canada, Wheelchair Rugby
Byron Green: Team Canada, Wheelchair Rugby
Marni Abbott-Peter: Three time Paralympic gold medalist
Richard Peter: Three time Paralympic gold medalist, silver medalist
Kai Schrameyer: Paralympic silver medalist
The event is hosted by BC Wheelchair Sports Association, BC Wheelchair Basketball Society, and Vancouver Coastal Health. The Wheelchair Sports Program at GF Strong is a partnership between the Recreation Therapy Service at GF Strong and BC Wheelchair Sports. The partnership was formed to provide an introduction to wheelchair sports for in-patients, out-patients and community members.
BC Wheelchair Sports Association works with partners across the country to provide wheelchair sports opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities. The Association provides programs for athletes from the grassroots to the Paralympic level, and develops world-class coaches, officials, and other sport professionals.
Vancouver Coastal Health manages GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, serving people with spinal cord injuries within the province of British Columbia and the Yukon. This includes traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injuries and adults with spina bifida.
VCH is responsible for the delivery of $3.4 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in communities including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Carrie Stefanson
Public Affairs Officer
Vancouver Coastal Health
Office: 604.708.5338
Cell: 604.312.1148
