Student-led wheelchair basketball tournament raises over $6,000 to support recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities

Shots With A Spin (SWAS) is a wheelchair basketball tournament traditionally hosted by the third-year MUSC Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) class to raise money for Adaptive Expeditions, a local adaptive sports organization that provides recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. As a third-year MUSC DPT student, I had the opportunity not only to participate in this event but also to organize it with the rest of my cohort. Participating in the tournament makes you gain immense respect for those who live life in a wheelchair. It is truly a game of endurance and skill to propel the wheelchair for a quick game, much less all day, every day.

Adaptive Expeditions impacts lives throughout Charleston by making sports and recreational activities accessible to individuals with physical and sensory disabilities. Their aim is to build a community where outdoor adventure seekers and Paralympic hopefuls can share ideas and common experiences, have fun, push limits, and redefine what’s possible. This event not only helps fund an incredibly impactful organization but also raises awareness of this population by highlighting all that is possible despite disability.

My experience with this event was nothing short of incredible. This year boasted a large turnout, with $6,162.48 raised to support Adaptive Expeditions and their mission. The enthusiasm of each team fueled the day and created a fun, competitive environment that was both engaging and entertaining. Several teams represented local organizations and consisted of both able-bodied individuals and individuals with disabilities. It was wonderful to see the community show up to support such a meaningful cause and watch this population show off their skills. Here’s what a couple of my classmates had to say about the experience:

“It was an awesome way to make new friends, have fun, and contribute to a great cause. The community turnout really blew us away, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this right before leaving for clinical rotations.”
– Justin Bourdet, DPT ‘25

“10/10 would do it again. The energy in the room was electric, and seeing how excited everyone was to get involved was inspiring. This is a population I will likely encounter in my career, and engaging with them in such a fun manner is something I will carry with me into this profession.”
– Amy Chang, DPT ‘25

Shots With A Spin and other Adaptive Expeditions activities are relevant to our curriculum, as many of us will have the opportunity to treat this population, and sharing community reintegration options with them is a vital part of patient-centered care and treating the whole person, not just the disability. The opportunity to plan and be a part of this day increased our awareness of the efforts and challenges individuals in wheelchairs experience daily. Revelations like these help us empathize and understand our patients on a level that we would not have been able to otherwise. I highly recommend participating in Shots With A Spin to all rehab programs, as it is inspiring to watch this population engage with these activities and the community.