Extreme Sports Fan Fundraising for Dream Wheelchair

A teenager, who was born with cerebral palsy, is raising funds to buy a new wheelchair that will help him achieve his dreams. Joel Connor-Saunders, 19, recently finished studying for a diploma in Sports and Fitness Coaching and teaches everything from wheelchair dance to football.

Extreme Sports

His favorite sport is extreme wheelchair skating, called WCMX, but his regular wheelchair is not the correct specification and could prove dangerous if used in skate parks. Joel needs a high specification set of wheels, which will allow him to do the tricks safely and teach others.

On getting the wheelchair, Joel said: “It would be a dream come true. I mainly do wheelchair basketball and a bit of tennis and rugby. But this new wheelchair will help me to do more extreme sports like wheelchair motocross (WCMX).

“It is ideal for someone like me who is into sports and adrenaline. It is a normal wheelchair, but with other extras like shock absorbers, so you don’t hurt yourself when you land, or damage the chair.”

Positive Outlook

Joel’s positive outlook has allowed him to achieve all his goals, and getting the wheelchair would allow him to continue to add to his hobby list.

He added: ““I am an adrenaline junkie, I have always been like this ever since I was a kid.

“Not being able to do things because I am in a wheelchair makes me push myself even more. I have always had the attitude that if someone tells me I am not able to do something, I will just want to do it right in front of them.”

To help Joel with fundraising, click here