The sport of sitting volleyball has been on the world stage since the 1950s, but Canada only established its national team in 2007. The sport is a fast-paced volleyball game for disabled athletes, and Canada’s women have already qualified for the Rio Paralympics.
In the summer of 2015, Calgary’s Jennifer Oakes had her right leg amputated below the knee after a boating accident. Already an accomplished volleyball player from William Aberhart High School, the 18-year-old has used the support of teammates on the national sitting volleyball team to heal mentally from her accident.
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Five years ago, Shacarra Orr of Fernie, B.C. suffered severe arm damage after the driver of a vehicle in the oncoming lane fell asleep and hit the car she was travelling in head on. Orr is hoping to earn one of the two modified disabled spots for the Rio Paralympics.
Kevin Smith has the story of both Oakes and Shacarra, and the journey they now share together.
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