Woman makes history as the first to play wheelchair rugby for Team USA at the Paralympics

PARIS (WCMH) — The first woman to play wheelchair rugby for Team USA at the Paralympics doesn’t want to be the last.

Sarah Adam made history in France by representing the United States in the competition. She told NBC4 that she wants to pave the way for women in the sport, but most of all, to be there for her team.

“I wanna be able to show that females have a place in wheelchair rugby and that we can compete,” Adam said. “But at the end of the day, when I’m on that court, I’m treated as any other athlete. I’m here to produce, I’m here to contribute for our team, I’m here to gel with my teammates, and that’s what I wanted to accomplish more than anything, is to do it for my teammates.”

And Adam did just that, she ended the tournament as Team USA’s second leading scorer, behind only four-time Paralympian and wheelchair rugby legend Chuck Aoki.

“There’s the great saying, ‘if you see it you can be it,’ and Sarah is the definition of ‘if you see it you can be it,’ for hopefully lots of girls and women out there to come give it a try,” Aoki said.

With help from Adam and Aoki, Team USA won the silver medal in wheelchair rugby.

Because she has multiple sclerosis, every day Adam’s body can feel different before a match. However, her drive and determination never change.

“For me, being an occupational therapist, I want other therapists to see that adaptive sports are for females too,” Adam said.

While she would love to compete at the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles, her multiple sclerosis is progressing so quickly that it might be impossible. But if not, she is confident there will be another woman — or two — there to fill her spot.