Title: Wheelchair basketball and the community reintegration of people with a spinal
cord injury
As part of the occupational therapists role with a patient who suffered a spinal cord
injury, the therapist aims to assist the patient in returning to his and her usual life,
participating in activities that he or she regards as normal within his or her life. Such
activities include basic tasks that are often taken for granted, such as caring for the
home, caring for oneself and family, going to work, socialising with peers and
managing one’s finances.
From previous experience, it has been noted that occupational therapists often do
not give enough attention to addressing the community reintegration needs of
patients. Limited time, resources and too little knowledge regarding communication
reintegration could contribute to this.
Limited findings exist regarding the role of wheelchair basketball to address
community reintegration. The researcher aspires to address this gap in the
knowledge, by making use of a qualitative, explorative design within the specific
context of the participants.
By conducting in-depth interviews with the players of the wheelchair basketball team
of the Northern Areas in Port Elizabeth, the researcher aimed to describe wheelchair
basketball and the community reintegration of these participants. The interviews
were conducted by Mr Kegan Topper, who is experienced in the interview process.
The players in the wheelchair basketball team have acquired spinal cord injuries,
and were between the age of 26 and 57 years.