Wheelchair rugby, she says. Can I come and watch? She says yes. So I do. I go to the Chico High School gymnasium and immediately flashback to 1993 where we (the flag team) performed at an assembly. It was a contemporary take on the old football halftime show complete with mixtape (Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Spin Doctors, Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers). That’s how I roll. God uses me to breathe new life into otherwise old (and often crotchety) ideas. And to shine a bright light into otherwise dark corners. These are my gifts.

Back to today. January 2024. Wheelchair rugby. As we wait for the game to begin, Ability First Sports (the nonprofit putting on the event) is still setting up. My wheelchair-bound friend who has Cerebral Palsy says that her shoulder still hurts from being hit by a car a few months back and decides to sit this game out. I look at her. I look at my other friend and ask him if he’s going to play. He says no. He had part of his leg amputated over a decade ago and hadn’t been in a wheelchair since receiving his prosthetic (“Man Trapped in Van” was the headline in the papers).

I look again at her. I look back at him. God nudges me. I say that if they’re not going to play, then I’m going to. I ask the organizer and she let’s me in the game. Thanks, Coach! I cannot believe that I am about to play wheelchair rugby. At this point… I’m not sure if it’s the wheelchair bit or the rugby bit that’s more exciting. Or more intimidating???

There’s a handful of volunteers from Chico High and Chico State. Kind-hearted people. They’re shagging balls. They’re playing on teams. They get in where they fit in. They are not shy with the smiles. They are a blessing. The players range from six years old to sixty years old and guess what??? It’s full contact! Meaning… that little six year old has full permission to ram right into you from the front (no smashing chairs from behind. There are rules!).

There is no shortage of trash talk, much of it coming from my mouth and aimed at this six year old. And the nine year old. These girls are vicious (in the most delightful way)! The coaches are welcoming. They are knowledgeable. They are patient. They are kind. They make fun possible. We bobbed and weaved, we dribbled and passed, we loved and laughed. Us. A curious group of just good people. That’s what we are. Underneath it all… we’re all just good people. Learning to play the game with each other as we help each other learn to play this game called life. Regardless of any and all differences, we are the same.

Turns out that my friend joined us on the court. I might even go so far as to say that he had a good time. Sometimes when we allow ourselves to try a new thing, even an old new thing, we can surprise even ourselves.

God. He’s a funny one. Look what He’s got us doing. Experiencing this bit of joy. This bit of challenge. Expanding our horizons as we gain perspective into a world that was previously a little smaller. Thank you, God. And thank you, Ability First Sports!