Handicap sports challenge barriers and redefine what it means to be an athlete. Jorg Köhler is a coach who has turned his own struggles with disability into a mission to empower others. Through his work at TV Laubenheim in Mainz, Germany, Jorg demonstrates how sports can build self-confidence, foster community, and change lives, proving that physical limitations don’t have to limit potential.

Cet article a été écrit par des jeunes journalistes du projet Europe Convergence 2024, porté par Magna Vox, le Partnerschaftsverband, et VISK (Vzdělávací institut středočeského kraje)

What happens when we expand the boundaries of who can be an athlete? What if we challenge the conventional image of an athlete – an able-bodied, powerful person? This question lies at the heart of handicap sports—a domain designed to allow people like Jorg to partake in physical exercise. What appears as an opportunity to do sport is much more. Giving people the possibility to exercise also means boosting their self-confidence, making them feel welcome and helping them overcome their limitations.

The World Health Organization estimates that over 1 billion people worldwide live with significant disability. While that number represents around 16% of the population, many people with disabilities face barriers that prevent them from participating in physical activities. Inaccessible sports facilities, a lack of trained personnel, and societal attitudes that underestimate their potential often dissuade them from participating. However, the growing movement of handicap sports is gradually dismantling these obstacles, offering individuals with disabilities a chance to engage in physical activities that enhance their well-being.

One person who embodies the transformative power of handicap sports is Jorg Köhler, the coach of a disability sports team at TV Laubenheim, a sports club in Mainz, Germany.

From the ground up, then helping others

Jorg’s disability sports journey began with a personal struggle. At the age of 30, hereditary spastic paraplegia bound him to a wheelchair. « Normally, when you walk, it’s automatic. I have to tell my feet exactly what to do because the command from the brain doesn’t get to the feet, » Jorg explains. « In the spinal cord, there are squashes and stitches, and I can’t walk anymore. I will always be able to get up, but walking – I will fall down. »

Faced with this life-altering condition, Jorg was initially very depressed. But everything changed in 2012 when he attended a mobility training session at TV Laubenheim. Despite his initial sadness, Jorg found a supportive community and a renewed sense of purpose at the club. When the previous coach stepped down, Jorg was asked to temporarily take over the coaching role. That temporary role turned into a permanent position, and Jorg has been the team’s dedicated coach for over six years. 

Helping individuals overcome challenges

Society often overlooks the athletic potential of individuals with disabilities, perpetuating the misconception that physical limitations make participation in sports impossible. That is what the club aims to tackle. « Our training is not just about sports, » Jorg explains. « We teach the athletes how to overcome practical challenges in their daily lives—like getting over a curb or getting back in the wheelchair if they fall out. » But beyond the physical skills, sports play a crucial role in building self-confidence and friendships among the athletes. « Every Tuesday, we come here, see each other, and have fun. We challenge each other. We do difficult sports like handball and basketball, and the athletes gain confidence with each session. »

The diversity of Jorg’s team shows the inclusivity of TV Laubenheim. The athletes range in age from 11 to 70, where members participate in activities like wheelchair basketball. “For each person with a handicap, it’s very difficult to find a place to do sports with other people. That’s why we have multiple opportunities to do sports at our club,” says Jorg.

This inclusive approach extends to the rules of the games as well. Jorg emphasizes the importance of adapting sports to meet the needs of all players. For example, in wheelchair basketball, some are unable to throw the ball into the hoop. To accommodate this, the team hangs a rope off the net—if a player can hit the rope, it counts as a two-pointer. “The key is to find rules where everybody can play. It’s a catastrophe when you say ‘you can’t play with us,’” Jorg asserts.

The impact of handicap sports on society

Handicap sports do more than just empower individuals; they also challenge and change societal perceptions of disability. When athletes with disabilities engage in sports, they demonstrate that physical limitations do not define their abilities or potential.

Jorg and his team at TV Laubenheim have received substantial support from the local community, enabling them to expand their reach and share their message. Recently, the club purchased a bus to transport the wheelchair team to various events. Additionally, the team has access to a skate hall in Wiesbaden. “Every second Sunday in a month, we can go into the skate hall in Wiesbaden and ride our wheelchairs there. For two hours, it’s our skate hall, and we have great fun,” Jorg says.

The importance of support especially shows when it comes to buying equipment for handicap sports. Considering that disabled adults are twice as likely to be physically inactive as healthy people, the staggering costs of equipment are likely one of the reasons for this.

Events like the Paralympic Games have brought disability sports into the mainstream. The Paralympic Games have grown significantly, with over 4 400 athletes participating in the 2020 iteration in Tokyo, a record high number.

Changing lives through sports

Jorg’s commitment to his team goes beyond the sports hall. Twice a year, he organizes mobility training sessions for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition that leads to significant physical challenges. “They come here, and most of them cry. They are really sad at first,” Jorg recounts. But through his encouragement and personal example – he shares his own struggles with mobility – Jorg helps them find joy and empowerment through sports. “It’s my talent to make them happy again. They come, they have angst, but then they see I’m also handicapped, and I have a lot of fun in my life. I show them it’s okay, and they learn to love sport.”

Jorg’s approach highlights a crucial aspect of disability sports: the sense of community and mutual support that it fosters. The athletes push themselves to achieve what they once thought impossible. “For example, I show the others how to drive up a curb and then back down. They want to try too, most without success, but then they try it next Tuesday, and again, and then one day, they actually do it. Then we all laugh and clap and that is the most beautiful thing. The look in their eyes when they actually beat their expectations is my reward.”

The wheelchair sports experience

Three days after our meeting, we’re back with Jorg to try the sport out ourselves.  While playing, the team was welcoming and tolerant, and they made sure everyone was included, even modifying the rules when necessary. They were also determined to score some points, too. For them, a lot of courage is needed to participate.Imagine the difficulty of transport, or of getting in an inaccessible hall (not in this particular case), or in a place where there isn’t as much support, with feelings of inadequacy (which most handicapped people feel much more frequently, according to studies). That’s just one more testament to the difficulty disabled people face. Is it even surprising that only 12% of adults with disabilities meet the recommended levels of activity compared to 26% of people who aren’t disabled? (CDC) Regular physical activity is inherently linked to better mental health and social integration.

That sends a clear message, as Jorg emphasizes: “We need to give handicapped people opportunities and support in sports.”

Jorg’s vision: “Never give up!”

Jorg Köhler’s motto, “never give up,” is more than just a personal mantra; it’s a guiding principle that shapes his approach to coaching and life. “My life isn’t over because I have a handicap. Some things take me longer and are harder, but that won’t make me give up. I’m something of a role model for all the people I teach, I must show them that I can be strong no matter the challenges,” Jorg states.

Under his leadership, TV Laubenheim has become a beacon of hope and empowerment for people with disabilities. Families travel from distant cities to participate in the club’s activities, and each week, the sports hall buzzes with enthusiasm of athletes who refuse to be defined by their disabilities. “Sometimes, there are 30 athletes in the hall excited to do sport during our training sessions. Families drive for an hour to get here to train because they don’t get this possibility in other cities,” Jorg explains.

Through Jorg’s dedication, handicap sports prove that true strength isn’t about physical ability—it’s about the courage to keep going no matter the limitations.

Text : Petr Hegedus / Photos : Julien le Flohic