Bridging Borders
The Bridging Borders project works with wheelchair racing organizations in regions where athletes typically face large financial and knowledge barriers to participating in the sport. Through providing equipment and training resources, Bridging Borders not only enables athletes to enjoy the challenge of wheelchair racing, but also helps shift societal perceptions of disability through the power of sport.
Our first partner is GoGetDem Wheelchair Racing Club in Ghana. Founded by Raphael Botsyo, himself a Paralympic wheelchair racer, and located in the capitol city of Accra, GoGetDem is focused on introducing the next generation of wheelchair racers to the sport.
Wheels for Change, Inc.’s support for GoGetDem to date:
- Donated three new custom-fit racing chairs to the club. Link to photo
- Donated a training roller, since access to track training is limited and road training is not generally safe.
- Donated five new pairs of racing gloves.
- Funded a multi-day introductory wheelchair racing workshop in Ghana during October 2024, aimed at identifying promising new racers. Link to several photos and video
What does it take? Here are the approximate prices:
- $4500 buys a new racing chair and ships it to Ghana.
- $1500 buys a training roller.
- $150 buys a pair of racing gloves.
- $50 feeds and houses multiple athletes for a training weekend in Accra.
- $10 buys a replacement tube for rear wheel tire.
