Published on: 4th December 2024
There was a great atmosphere last week in the London Spinal Cord Injury Unit (LSCIC) as we celebrated and welcomed the Team Stanmore Inter-Spinal Unit (ISUG) Games 2024 winners bringing home the winning trophy for the first time ever.
We were privileged to be joined by Dimitri Coutya and Marcus Perrineau Daley fresh from their success at the Paris Paralympics 2024, who presented the medals to some of the Team Stanmore Inter-Spinal Unit Game winners who were able to attend the celebrations.
The WheelPower Inter Spinal Unit Games are held annually at Stoke Mandeville Stadium and form an essential part of many spinal patients’ rehabilitation. Patients receive coaching and demonstrations from current leading wheelchair sports athletes and coaches in over 20 sports which include archery, wheelchair rugby, athletics, fencing, basketball, powerlifting, boccia, swimming, shooting and tennis.
It was an inspirational day for patients with Team Stanmore ISUG answering questions from our spinal unit patients and staff, sharing their personal experiences from the games. The day also included a fantastic wheelchair basketball game in our Aspire gym.
Anya, Senior Physiotherapist at LSCIC, said “The team participated in lots of sports, some of which were scouted to take part in some Team GB trials which is really exciting. There was an amazing energy within the team over the week and everyone really just threw themselves into everything for the team. We also had some great individual performances as well with winning medals which included para archery, para badminton, mixed tetra shooting, para table tennis, mixed tetra Boccia.”
It was a pleasure to also welcome past RNOH consultant Mr Ian Bayley. Anya thanked Mr Bayley for joining the celebrations: “It’s amazing to have you come back and to be able to celebrate and spend time with us this afternoon, and obviously your impact on the Spinal Unit, the staff and the patients – so a big thank you for coming along.”
It goes without saying that we are all extremely proud of the whole team and what they have achieved (including being scouted for Team GB trials) and the humbling team spirit they have demonstrated throughout the week.
A massive thank you to everyone who has enabled the games to happen this year, whether it be in the background with logistics, being support staff at the games or holding the fort back on the unit, thank you - we couldn't have done it without you all.
As the team have already expressed, none of this would have been possible wihout each and every one of your support in their LSCIC rehab journey, so a heartfelt thank you from them too.