Extreme sports for disabled people

Although the popularity and accessibility of extreme sports for people with disabilities continues to grow, many still wonder what exactly extreme sports are. In common understanding, extreme sports are activities performed in challenging conditions, carrying an increased risk of injury, and often requiring special physical or mental abilities or proper preparation from the participant. In the case of extreme sports practiced by people with disabilities, depending on their level of independence, they often need to rely partially or entirely on the skills of an instructor or guide.
Extreme sports include disciplines that require participants to have the courage and ability to operate in high-risk conditions, often even life-threatening situations. Engaging in extreme sports involves overcoming both external challenges and personal mental limitations, accompanied by intense emotions.

Right after diving into the water and fracturing my cervical spine, if someone had told me that I would try extreme sports, I would have just responded with silence and a look that said they were talking nonsense. I believed that such a severe disability, like quadriplegia (tetraplegia), condemned me to spending my time exclusively in front of the TV or computer.

The inability to move independently in a manual wheelchair and the presence of architectural barriers made it very difficult for me to socialize, take walks, attend cultural events, or enjoy outdoor activities. I was also embarrassed to ask for help from friends, many of whom drifted away after my spinal injury. Things improved slightly after moving to a nursing home and purchasing a power wheelchair. I was very happy to be able to move around the local area without anyone's help.

About 15 years after that fateful dive, I realized that my quality of life was quite decent, but I had no significant memories from that time. Over such a long period, I hadn't traveled anywhere or experienced anything exciting, even though I often saw people with disabilities on TV enjoying life while participating in various sports that were once reserved only for healthy and strong individuals.

My additional motivation to experience something extraordinary was my 20th anniversary of the dive and the desire to celebrate this milestone in a unique way. I decided to contact a paramotor pilot who often flies over my city during the summer season. Despite many worries about whether he would be scared of my disability, everything went smoothly, and I had an amazing time in the air.

After tasting a higher dose of adrenaline during the paramotor flight, I started to pay closer attention to all extreme sports. Whenever something caught my interest, I began to check where I could try it in my area. As a result, I experienced a flight in a wind tunnel, a glider flight, a tandem parachute jump, a bungee jump, a hot air balloon ride, a microlight flight, and a trike flight. I also had the opportunity to sail on a yacht; although this activity cannot be classified as a high-adrenaline sport in the way I experienced it, I recommend the gentle swaying on the waves to anyone who enjoys being close to water. Another incredibly interesting experience for me was diving in a lake with a breathing apparatus.

I am very happy that I was able to try several extreme sports. I have shown at least a few people that the greatest limitations can be overcome if one only opens their mind. I joined those with disabilities breaking down barriers, and my life became more vibrant and reached a higher, better level. I do not intend to deviate from this chosen path and I want to encourage other wheelchair users to try to change something in their monotonous lives. It is worth stepping outside your comfort zone to try something new that you will remember for the rest of your life.

I regret that I did not make the most of the first 15 years of my life after the spinal cord injury, and I hope that as few people as possible make the same mistake. Technological advancements open new possibilities for us, and we should seize them with both hands. I also hope that new extreme sports will emerge in the near future, ones that we can only dream of now. As long as health permits, I will certainly share my experiences in the form of detailed written descriptions, photos, and videos.

Below is a list of extreme sports that I have tried and can wholeheartedly recommend to people with disabilities using wheelchairs: