For Jonathan, his disability became his ability – what ability will become yours? It was September 2012 and Jonathan Collins had made an executive decision – he needed to broaden his interests, to become more active. What is a better way of becoming more active than by taking up a new sport? He tried out a few taster sessions, but was not inspired by them. Perhaps it was because they were team sports, which was something he had never been encouraged to do. Then a chance encounter with an old friend led him to a new sport: wheelchair fencing. With a fencing club within 10 miles from his home, he decided to give it a go and he has been wheelchair fencing ever since.
This is Jonathan’s story.
Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Jonathan was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. Due to the Spina Bifida, the vertebrae in his spine has not formed properly which caused damage to his spinal cord. As a result, he is paralysed from the waist down. His Spina Bifida is accompanied by Hydrocephalus, where an excessive amount of cerebral fluid is produced, causing pressure on his brain. Although it can be treated, there is not yet a cure.
The paralysis has led Jonathan to become a full-time wheelchair user. Many of the day-to-day difficulties he faces are due to using a wheelchair – from uneven paths and steps, to obstacles in shop aisles and narrow doorways. If you think about it, why do public toilets only have bins that are opened by foot pedals?
He also has impaired eyesight due to some treatment he received for his hydrocephalus at the age of 14, which means that he needs carers to help him with day-to-day tasks. Luckily, with support from his carers and family, he is able to enjoy trips out, often going out at least four or five times a week.
Introducing Wheelchair Fencing!
Despite these trips out, Jonathan decided that he needed to become more active. While he did go on long walks with his family and to the local swimming pool, he didn’t exercise as much as he wanted to. After a few uninspiring taster sessions, an old friend introduced Jonathan to wheelchair fencing and he was immediately hooked. He felt happier, healthier and stronger – put a fencing weapon in his hand and his feeling of wellbeing became greater than ever!
According to Jonathan, Wheelchair Fencing is very similar to conventional fencing, with the exception of a few rule changes. Rather than moving towards the opponent to attack them, the fencer’s wheelchair is fastened to a frame, meaning that the fencer relies on their upper body to attack the opponent and dodge oncoming attacks. Wheelchair fencers can use all three weapons used in able bodied fencing – Epee, Foil, and Sabre.
Jonathan went from milestone to milestone: he has won a Gold medal in Sabre and Joint Bronze medal in Foil at the Novice Challenge in 2018 – a sub-competition in the British Disability Fencing National Championships. He was even nominated for Fencing’s Personality of the Year for his work in promoting the sport!
Jonathan’s key message to you is just to give it a go! He is one of a whole community of friendly wheelchair fencers. While their abilities vary from local club members to fencers competing in the Paralympics, they are a friendly and welcoming community, willing to help everyone who joins. What’s more, Jonathan says that Wheelchair Fencing is suitable for most disabilities – even for those who don’t use wheelchairs!
For Jonathan, his disability became his ability – what ability will become yours?
To find out more about Jonathan’s journey into fencing, follow him on Facebook at @WheelchairFencerJonathanCollins, on Twitter at @Jonatha56744262 or his YouTube channel ‘Wheelchair Fencer Jonathan Collins’. To find out more about Wheelchair Fencing, take a look at his book ‘Into the Frame’, available on Amazon.
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