Mischa Hielkema is a Wellspect ambassador for Benelux. As a two–time Dutch handcycle champion, he reaps the mental and physical benefits of training and wants to share his passion, joy and motivation for getting involved in sport.
What is it about handcycling that I love so much?
Jan 3, 2022 7:30:00 AM
Topics: Sports and leisure, Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Well-being, IWBF, Paralympics, #RoadToParis, parasports
The players, teams and events to look out for in wheelchair basketball
Nov 15, 2021 7:30:00 AM
Since Tokyo 2020, wheelchair basketball is enjoying growing popularity. With the European Championships, World Championships and Paris 2024 all on the horizon, we take a look at the upcoming competitions, teams and the players to watch out for in the year ahead.
Topics: IWBF, Paralympics, #wheelchairbasketball, #RoadToParis, parasports
United through a love of wheelchair basketball
Oct 4, 2021 7:30:00 AM
What does inclusivity mean? Let's flip it on it's head. As the partner of Svenja Mayer
– a player with Team Deutschland, André Hopp is also a wheelchair basketball player. The sport is like a second family to them, and it's how they met. Nothing unusual about that, you might think. Except that Andre, is fully abled.
Text: Jana Rudolf
Photograpy: Uli Gasper
André Hopp is the man at the side of national player Svenja Mayer. With her he not only shares his life, but also his love of wheelchair basketball. André Hopp and Svenja Mayer has been an unbeatable team since 2015. They met in 2014, through a shared passion: wheelchair basketball. “To me, wheelchair basketball has become a second family. Everyone knows everyone and after the games we often do activities together", says Hopp. Since he himself has no disability, 30-year old André especially appreciates the inclusiveness of the sport:
Topics: Paralympics, #RoadToParis, #wheelchair basketball, parasports
I didn't apply for disability...
Mar 1, 2021 10:30:00 AM
Paralympics winner and decorated MBE by the Queen of England, Anne Wafula Strike had a rough start in life. As Wellspect's guest blogger, she shares her fantastic story in two parts. Please enjoy the first part of the article and video!
Topics: Paralympics, parasports
How to get ready for Tokyo 2021?
Jan 18, 2021 8:00:00 AM
Once I’ve seen that the athletes are ready to go into the Paralympic Village, I can sit back, relax and watch the medals come rolling in. The words are Bev Collin’s, pronounced on a humoristic note and showing her dedication to her role as Lead nurse of preparation camp.
Topics: Paralympics, #roadtotokyo, parasports
