Logan’s Wendy Passfield was just 32 years old when she lost both her legs after contracting an infection in hospital when giving birth to her second child.
Almost two decades and 100 surgeries later, Ms Passfield’s life has been transformed by her passion for wheelchair basketball.
She was always a sports fan – having played netball for many years – but has a newfound appreciation for its impact.
“Sport can do so much for someone with a disability, and basketball is where I found my tribe,” Ms Passfield said.
“We all truly understand each other, and it’s all about having fun with people who genuinely get it.”
After contracting Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in 2007, Ms Passfield lost both legs and fell into a slump.
“I was taking so many painkillers I couldn’t get out of bed,” she said.
“I couldn’t put a sentence together; I couldn’t do anything.”
She has had 100 surgeries since then and continues to fight the infection to this day, which is resistant to antibiotics.
But three years ago, she decided to change her life for the better – through wheelchair basketball.
“I found a way out of that deep dark hole and that was through sport and Sporting Wheelies,” she said.
“Without this, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Sporting Wheelies is an organisation that “empowers” those living with disability to live fulfilling lives through sports, recreation and rehabilitation therapy.
Ms Passfield now volunteers as a wheelchair basketball coach and teaches the sport to people of all ages.
This year she became a Sporting Wheelies ambassador, sharing her story and educating students across Logan, and was chosen to be part of the women’s National Wheelchair Basketball League, playing for the Queensland Comets.
“My whole drive for doing it was showing the kids we coach that if I can make a national league team at 48 years old, then there’s nothing stopping any of them,” she said.
According to Paralympics Australia, only one-fourth of the 20 per cent of Australians who live with a disability play sport.
Around 75 per cent of disabled Australians want to play sport but feel there are limited opportunities.
Sporting Wheelies COO Dane Cross said sporting opportunities “should be afforded to every Australian”.
“We provide the sports wheelchairs that are needed to anyone who comes along, allowing participants to try it out, test their skills and see what they most enjoy,” Mr Cross said.
“This equipment is essential to help people reclaim their lives through sport.”
Sporting Wheelies is hoping to raise $70,000 to buy 10 new sports wheelchairs for the organisation.
fundraise.sportingwheelies.org.au/2024-tax-appeal.
