We are chatting with James McQuillan one of the Australian Steelers – the Aussie wheelchair rugby team. Not just that but an Australian Steeler who has had an incredible journey from recreational sportsman to national representative in just over 11 months. In this episode James shares his story, the injury that led him to having a SCI, how he came to be part of the Steelers, and all about Wheelchair Rugby as a sport. He also tells us about being an elite sportsman, his SCI rehab journey, nerve & tendon transfer surgeries to get more function in his upper limbs and some tips for working with people with SCI. Enjoy!
2.00 Intro
2.34 sec Bio
6.44 Wheelchair Rugby
11.48 Classification
13.05 Getting into para sport
17.53 Equipment required
17.54 Fitness for elite wheelchair rugby & SCI
21.46 Role in Aussie Steelers
25.55 Nerve transfer & Tendon transfer surgeries
30.31 Rehab – knowledge, motivation, prioritising
36.12 What rehab clinicians did well
45.12 Reflection
Resources
Forged In Steel - Australian Steelers documentary
SCI PT guidelines sciptguide.com
Paralympics websites
https://www.9now.com.au/paralympic-games-paris-2024
https://www.paralympic.org.au/
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-games
Austin Health Nerve & tendon transfer team
Links
Instagram @jamesmcquillan5
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