Paralyzing Efforts

July 23, 2012, 7:25 am

Wheelchair Rugby was brought to the attention of the masses in the 2005 film Murderball.  But the sport has actually been around for more than thirty years and has become so popular that it isan Olympic sport in the Paralympic Games.  We had Seth McBride and Will Groulx on the MSP Friday to talk about the sport and the way it has transformed their lives.

McBride became a paraplegic at the age of 17 after suffering a horrific skiing accident in Whistler, Canada.  Although there was a definite adjustment period, McBride maintains that he came to terms with his new lifestyle pretty quickly – largely because of his laid-back, easy-going demeanor.

Groulx’s life was transformed in 2000 when he and his buddy both had accidents on their motorcycles.  He and his friend were both thrown from their bikes while entering a freeway onramp.  His buddy went off the road and ended up in a patch of grass while Groulx collided with a guardrail, immediately paralyzing him.

The two have since maintained a life of adventure and thrill by getting involved in wheelchair rugby.   Each got involved in the sport as a way to exercise and stay active.  But both insist that when they “bit that bug,” they were hooked.  Wheelchair was the perfect combination of rush and competition.

Groulx and McBride both insist that even though their injuries changed their lives and made them refocus their priorities, their disabilities have not changed who they are as people. 

Take a listen to these men’s inspiring interview of will, determination and heart and be sure to check them out at the Paralympic Games in August.

Boston Marathon

How are you feeling following the Boston Marathon bombings?

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