Wheels on fire

Wendy Kenbeek

Teacher -  Physical Education

As part of our inclusion and diversity unit in physical education, all Year 7 students had an opportunity to listen to an inspiring talk as well as to participate in a wheelchair basketball session.  This activity was presented by Peter Temitope Ogunyemi from Disability, Sport and Recreation Victoria. 

Gracie Senior 

This term in year 7, we have been playing heaps of games in relation to people with different abilities. We played games like Deaf European Handball, and games where we were blindfolded, to put us in perspective for those who are unable to hear or see. Last week, we were lucky enough to have Peter Ogunyemi come to our school to play wheelchair basketball. Peter is a profession athlete, who has been to several Olympics. He was born unable to use his legs and hasn’t been able to walk all his life.   He shared his story - I don’t think I’ve ever heard our class that quiet!  We were all so inspired by Peter, and we felt so lucky to be in his presence and learn from him. We then moved into groups to play 5-minute rounds of basketball – but in wheelchairs. It took a while to get used to, but we finally adjusted, and all tried our best. It was so fun. We were spinning and crashing into each other, scoring goals from so low down. I think this changed the whole classes perspective on how lucky we are to be able to get up in the morning on our feet, yet also lucky to have learned so much, had so much fun and to view things in different perspectives. Peter was truly inspirational, let alone the fact he was always smiling, and giving us motivation and handshakes throughout the lesson. It was great!

Chloe Italia

This was my favourite sports lesson of the year easily, in fact I want to start wheelchair basketball even though I'm able! I learned so much from Peter's story - like how he didn't get his first wheelchair in Africa until he was 25 and had to crawl 3km to school everyday. Peter was a really inspiring person and made everyone feel really grateful and lucky about what they have.​

Nathan Lui

Wheelchair basketball was a fun experience. We got immerse ourselves into a form of sport we have never played. Wheelchair basketball allowed us to [experience] the world of those with a disability who must use a wheelchair like Peter. It allowed us to feel what it’s like for those who must sit in a wheelchair all day for the rest of their lives. Wheelchair basketball lets us play a sport we know and take it to a whole new level. When we played wheelchair basketball, some of us were trying to get the hang of being in a wheelchair. However, some people could roll down the court with ease and easily shoot a hoop from the wheelchair. I have to say that wheelchair basketball was one of the most exciting and immersive experiences I have ever had. 

Ava Kee

Wheelchair basketball was a great experience and I am so glad that we had the opportunity to do this. Peter was very inspiring and helped us realise how grateful we should all be. Wheelchair basketball was so fun and I hope we get to do it again!

Tristan Ingham

Peter's whole story is very inspiring and motivating . After his story we went on the wheelchairs and raced up and down the basketball court, it was a new, exciting feeling to move without [using] your legs up and down a basketball court. The chairs were like the ones in the Olympics with the wheels out on an angle and were surprisingly easily to move and turn. Then - basketball time. I don’t know the actual rules for wheelchair basketball but the rules we played by were you can run into each other, steal the ball from the opposition and give it your all, because we are all the same in the wheelchairs. Peters’ way of explaining things was a style I have never seen, give it your all and nothing else, and if you get knocked over, get back up. Overall, I would do this 100 times over, get Peter be my teacher for any subject. 

Thankyou Peter, and good luck with your travels!