Sarah Adam

Started: She began playing wheelchair rugby in 2017 in St. Louis, MO, United States of America, and started competing in the sport in 2019. She was invited to attend a selection camp for the US national team in December 2021. (nbcsports.com, 17 Jan 2024; slu.edu, 01 Jan 2022) Reason: She was introduced to the sport in 2013 while volunteering at the Disabled Athlete Sports Association [DASA] in St. Louis, MO, United States of America, as a complement to her occupational therapy studies. "I've always been a competitive athlete. When I couldn't compete in able-bodied sports, I needed to fill that gap. Wheelchair rugby fills that need to be active and competitive. I grew up with two brothers, and both my parents were athletes growing up, so I've always had a sports-minded upbringing. I do love the fact that it's full contact, and they're going in and reaching out with arms and trying to grab the ball on your lap and punch you in the face and whatnot. It kind of breaks down that stereotype of what people typically think of when you hear about a disabled athlete." (nbcsports.com, 17 Jan 2024; usawr.org, 01 Jan 2023; slu.edu, 01 Jan 2022; kcur.org, 26 Jun 2024) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (Facebook profile, 29 Jan 2024) Milestones: If she competes at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris she will become the first female wheelchair rugby player to represent the United States of America in the sport at the Paralympic Games. (paralympic.org, 01 Jan 2024; SportsDeskOnline, 01 Jan 2024) She and teammate Elizabeth Dunn became the first female wheelchair rugby players to represent the United States of America at the world championships when the pair competed at the 2022 edition of the tournament in Vejle, Denmark. (paralympic.org, 21 Mar 2023) Additional Info: ROLE IN PARIS She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2016. The relapse and remitting nature of the condition means her performance on the court can be affected on some days more than others. "I could have a relapse that makes it so that I can't even go compete in Paris, or we can be in Paris, and I have some days where I'm feeling really good - we're playing five games in five days, that's a lot to put my body through, I think we know that there's going to ebb and flow. And so being really close with my teammates and transparent with them on where I'm at, and we adjust how I'm playing in my role on that court, depending on how my body's feeling. I'm sort of listening to my body, but I'm pushing it." (kcur.org, 26 Jun 2024) MIXED GENDER PROGRESSION At the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris she will become the first female wheelchair rugby player to represent the United States of America at the Games. "It's an exciting story, particularly right now with the rise of women in sports and females and the equity of it, which is really exciting. I love being able to be a part of a small part of that conversation. It actually forced me to work harder. I was like, if I'm going to get the attention for being a female on this team, I want to make sure it's because I'm a relevant athlete, honestly, like athlete first, a contributor for this team, and, oh yeah, she's a female." (kcur.org, 26 Jun 2024) OCCUPATION She works as an assistant professor of occupational therapy at Saint Louis University in the United States of America. "I think it starts with that disability identity and being able to manage myself as a person with a disability, and manage my physical health and my mental health and get back to having a purpose in my life, and that's really what occupational therapists do. We help people reengage in meaningful activity after injury or illness." (kcur.org, 26 Jun 2024; Facebook profile, 29 Jan 2024; nctv17.org, 29 Dec 2023; momentummagazineonline.com, 01 Mar 2023; usawr.org, 01 Jan 2023; slu.edu, 01 Jan 2022)