by Connie Tabbert
Editor
Sam Graham is travelling to Prince George, British Columbia in two weeks to compete in the Canada Winter Games.
The 20-year-old Beachburg man is competing in wheelchair basketball.
“This is like the top junior wheelchair baseball tournament in Canada,” he said. “It’s held every four years.”
A member of the Ottawa Jazz basketball team, Graham, along with teammate Emily Mondor, both made the provincial team. Other members of the team are from the Toronto area, Graham said.
The Ottawa Jazz is a Double A team in the Quebec league of the Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League.
The provincial team leaves Feb. 12 and returns the 21st. Opening ceremonies for the games are Feb. 13.
Graham said each member of the team is chosen based on skill and a point system which values the level of functionality of a person. Explaining, he said a class 4.5 is a completely functional person while a Class 1 is the most disabled, the class he is in.
Instead of allowing so many players on the court at one time, wheelchair basketball is based on the points system.
“You’re allowed only 15 points on the court at one time,” he said. “This means you can’t load the team with your best players.”
Kemmel Graham (Sam’s dad) said that’s what he likes about this game.
“It’s very inclusive,” he said. “It allows people of differing abilities to play.”
However, Graham added, “You still have to prove you are the best in your class.”
Rules for wheelchair basketball are the same as regular basketball, which means the nets are the same height, foul lines are the same distance and the fouls are the same, such as charging and blocking, having eight seconds to get the ball out of your own zone and then shooting it within 24 seconds, Graham explained.
Graham expects the games to be live-streamed on the games’ web site as well having some coverage on TSN and RDS (the French equivalent of TSN).
“We are integrated with all the other winter sports,” he said.
Wheelchair basketball is scheduled from Feb. 16 to 20 at Duchess Park Secondary School in Prince George.
To get onto the provincial team, Graham had to compete in tournaments and attend various training camps. He also competed at last year’s Ontario Winter Games.
Following that, the selection process began again and last September and October, the final selection camps were held. The final selection day was held on his birthday, so it was a great present.
“I was on my way to coach junior wheelchair basketball when I got the call,” Graham recalled. “There are 12 players on the team and I’m the only one from the Ottawa Valley.”
To financially help Graham with expenses, he applied for and received Quest For Gold Carding. This application is a time-consuming questionnaire to be filled out with various information, including his training, objectives, what he has done for wheelchair basketball (coaching and playing) and tournaments he has participated in.
He noted for the last two years he has hosted a fundraiser for wheelchair basketball at Algonquin College in Pembroke, where he has been a student for the last two years. Graham is in the final semester of Social Service Worker at the college.
Graham is hopeful by doing what he has done he is showing any sport is possible from a wheelchair.
Wheelchair basketball is not the only sport Graham has participated and competed in.
“I dabbled in waterskiing, tried wheelchair racing for a bit and played sledge hockey.
“In the future, I’d like to try rugby.”
Graham doesn’t see himself as an inspiration to anyone, but hopes he is a mentor. For the last two summers, he has been counsellor at a camp for children with disabilities – the same camp he attended as a camper.
“It’s been an eye opener for me helping kids,” he said. “I’ve helped feed them and dress them.
“I just like to help. I want to give somebody the same things I was given.
“I have been blessed with a host of amazing people,” Graham said.
His parents, Kemmel and Angel, his sister Bridget and family friend Ward (Willy) Byce.
“Willy is one of my biggest fans,” he said. “He came with us every Sunday to hockey. He coached. He came everywhere with us.”
Graham is hopeful he is showing people he can lead a normal life from a wheelchair.
“As I’ve grown, I’ve grown accustomed to my body,” he said. “If I can’t do something, I find a different way of doing it.
“If that means asking for help, then I ask.
“You have to have balance.”
Editor’s Note: I’ve interviewed Sam over the years when I worked for the former Cobden Sun. He is truly an amazing person who has not let his disability stop him from enjoying life. Way to go Sam and good luck at the games.
