Growing up Megan Smith admittedly didn’t know much about adaptive sports; now, the 19-year-old hopes to raise awareness for the next generation of athletes.
Born with distal spinal muscular atrophy, Smith said she was sheltered and hesitant to get involved in sports as a child; however, that changed when she was introduced to the ‘Let’s Play’ program in British Columbia.
Let’s Play is an initiative of the BC Wheelchair Basketball Society that gives children with physical disabilities access to a sport wheelchair and other resources to develop the skills they need to participate in sports.
Smith received a chair and was introduced to Nadine Barbisan, program manager at BC Wheelchair Basketball Society, and former national team member Marnie Abbott-Peter.
“At first, I didn’t really want to play, and my father just kept pushing me and pushing me and making me go,” Smith said. “Then I met Nadine and Marnie, and they just kept encouraging me, saying it’ll be fun. Then next thing you go know, I just couldn’t leave.”
The initiative introduced Smith to Wheelchair Basketball and helped her meet new people.
“It was a big impact on me,” she said. “It got me out of the house, got me meeting new people, especially meeting new people with disabilities. As a young kid, I didn’t really know anyone. I was really sheltered. It just showed me that you can do anything if you just put your mind to it.”
Therapeutic Recreation
The Vancouver, B.C. native is now hoping to pay it forward.
Smith is currently in her first year of the Therapeutic Recreation program at Douglas College.
“It entails teaching people about adaptive sports,” Smith explained. “Making sure everything is inclusive for recreation and leisure. For example, we work with the BC Wheelchair Basketball Society to bring in equipment to teach the students about adaptive sports. We’ll teach different things such as sitting yoga and other sports to make the world more adaptive and acceptable to everyone.”
Once she has completed her degree, Smith’s goal is to help kids in her shoes.
“My goal would be to take this into rehab centres and target younger teens because when I was growing up, I didn’t really know about adaptive sports until I was involved with adaptive sports,” Smith said. “I want to get it more out there before they even get into adaptive sports just to know that it is out there; there are people you can contact. Being in a chair doesn’t stop you from doing everything; it just might look different to your able-bodied friends.”
Tip-Off
On the court, Smith is anxious to get back to games. Her last competition was the BC Winter Games in February 2020.
During the pandemic, she has been trying to improve her game.
“Just working on my communication, being a better ball-handler, just being there for my teammates on and off the court,” she said. “On the court, making sure we’re always there for each other. Off the court, cheering on the team, cheering on whoever is on the court.”
Last November, Smith had the opportunity to attend Tip-Off Camp in Richmond, B.C., where she learned from members of the women’s national team.
“It was a great experience. It brought me into seeing the world as a Canadian athlete. It also reminded me of why I love the sport,” said Smith.
The camp also opened the door for Smith to start training with fellow Vancouverite Tara Llanes.
“It’s a different pace for me. I’m not really used to training with a Paralympian, so it’s a lot more pushing, but it’s really good, and it’s really helpful, and I really enjoy it,” she said.