The annual MUSCO event on the subject of adapted sports

a real moment of exchange, stimulating and touching

The fourth edition of this event was a great success and the pleasure of meeting in person after two years of virtual editions was palpable. With the theme of Adapted Sport: Have fun and be Healthy! The event brought together more than 100 participants in person and online to listen to captivating conferences on various themes related to adapted sport. 

The day was organized in three parts: benefits, access and practice of adapted sport. Presentations covered topics such as common barriers, tools and technical aids, benefits to the body and mind, nutrition and common injuries, to name a few.

A rich program that the event’s working group, whose project leaders this year were Marie-Lyne Nault, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon at CHU Sainte-Justine, and Thierry Pauyo, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada, developed over several months leading up to the day.

Leah Gustave

Integrating Boccia into my life has given me the opportunity to live a passion of my choice in an environment dedicated to my physical and mental enjoyment.

The theme of adapted sports was put forward because it met an important need: physical activity plays a major role in the health, well-being and quality of life of a child with a motor impairment. This day served to inform and equip families to better understand the possible benefits of sport for their child and to help them overcome their concerns. The event promoted movement of all kinds, the pleasure of moving and the importance of mobility in all its forms.

Families were able to learn more about the subject and exchange with professionals and community organizations in the area while enjoying a rich and varied program. Thirteen organizations whose activities are related to adapted sports were able to hold a booth and were present all day long. This presence was very much appreciated by the participants, who were able to learn more about the opportunities available to them in adapted sports.

Maria Tatiana Calderon

Our daily lives are full of challenges and actions, so we have learned that the word I can’t doesn’t exist in our vocabulary.

A new feature of this year’s program was the presence of Guests of honour who spoke about their experiences in the field of adapted sports, notably Leah Gustave, boccia athlete, her mother Maria Tatiana Calderon and Mélanie Labelle, wheelchair rugby athlete. These varied backgrounds allowed the conferences to be anchored in the reality and everyday life of patients, a presence that was a great success with all participants in the event and that certainly inspired many. 

We thank them for their confidence and for sharing their feelings and experiences, and we hope that their testimony will have mobilized more than one participant to start or maintain their practice of adapted sports!

Mélanie Labelle

What a pleasure to collaborate between specialists and athletes during this event. My personal goals in sport: Community, sustainability and health in a disability situation. What are yours?

Thank you to the Organizing Committee and the following organizations who held booths and provided childcare!

Booths: 

The Papillon Foundation was also a partner of the event through the organization of the childcare service offered during the day.

The videos of the conferences will be available in the Resources section soon.