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WHEELCHAIR RUGBY:
Jonathan Sigworth ’10 introduced wheelchair rugby to patients at the
Indian Spinal Injuries Centre in India during his winter break. Sigworth, a level
C-5/C-6 quadriplegic, and an accompanying team, transported 10
specialized wheelchair frames and 16 wheels to Delhi, India for the
cause. Many expenses were covered by a grant from the Christopher and
Dana Reeve Foundation and contributions from many friends, while donated
wheelchairs came from several Quad Rugby teams as well as from Gaylord
Hospital in Connecticut. |
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Sigworth inspired the Spinal Injuries Centre
patients to participate in India's first-ever quad rugby scrimmage held
Jan. 8. Paraplegics, wheelchair-bound people with normal arm and hand
function, can play wheelchair basketball and tennis, but quadriplegics,
who have limitations in the use of all four limbs, play Quad Rugby. The
sport accommodates players with differing levels of muscle function. Sigworth calls his efforts the Quad Rugby Implementation Project. |
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Sigworth inspired the Spinal Injuries Centre
patients to create their own team, the Delhi Bullz Eyez. Pictured above
are the supporters, staff and two teams after an exhibition game on Jan.
15, which was covered by local media. The teams are the
"Americans" in red shirts and the victorious "Indians" in green.
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In the U.S., Sigworth, pictured in rear, in
green, plays for the Connecticut wheelchair rugby team, The Jammers.
Since September 2007, the Jammers have been practicing in the Freeman
Athletic Center. Sigworth's level of muscle function only allows him to
play defense, but in India, he was the expert, teaching future coaches, referees and
players.
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The Sigworth family resides in Hamden, Conn.
where Jon occasionally rides around the neighborhood on his hand-cycle,
while his brother, David, jogs. When Jon Sigworth is off the rugby floor
or away from his studies, he
may ride his hand-cycle around the Wesleyan campus. Sigworth is currently working
on an independent-study project at Wesleyan, making a documentary of his
efforts in India, as well as the larger issues surrounding
rehabilitation for India's disabled. (Photos contributed by Fred Sigworth P'10)
Jon Sigworth was featured in The Times of India in an article
reprinted in SVAYAM
here. |
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