jacksonville, florida – Adult Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation hosted the 14th Annual Southern Slam Wheelchair Rugby Tournament at the University of North Florida this weekend.
The ASR program is for athletes of all ages with disabilities and illnesses.
Some said the program saved their lives.
Don Bergman played for his hometown team, the Brooks Bandits, and set a record that the sport is not for the faint of heart.
“Oh, every time I see someone in a wheelchair, I hope that poor person doesn’t get hurt.
Bouncing back is how Bergman got through one of the most difficult moments of his life.
When I was 16, I broke my neck in a swimming accident and became a quadriplegic.
His main strengths are his shoulders and triceps, but his mobility in other parts of his body is limited.
Over the past 15 years, he has amassed those strengths into his wheelchair rugby fortune.
“So many people are injured and just stay at home. It gives freedom to people,” Bergman said.
Terrell King joined the Bandits years after being shot in the spine in 2008.
He enjoys competition, but for him it’s about learning how to turn his situation to his advantage.
“When you come here, you realize that it’s not a disability, it’s an ability to be around other people and grow,” King said.
For more information on the Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation program, please visit our website.
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