Crushing it-actually-squashing it!

By Brett Rathbone

Marshall L., CHIRS client, and survivor of a massive stroke 10 years ago took-up the sport of wheelchair squash in 2023. In May of this year, he placed 2^nd in the first ever Canadian Wheelchair Doubles Squash Championship Invitational tournament. How did he do it? The Brainy Bugler wanted to know. Hard work and determination are what it boiled down to; plus playing once or twice a week for the past two years. Marshall also has a long history as an athlete: for many years he was a hockey goaltender. “I’m pretty used to things flying at me at 80 kms an hour,” he smiles. When he was young, his family lived in a building with a squash court, and his older brother taught him to play, so he understood the essentials of the game, but had never pursued it competitively.

His stroke took away use of his left arm and leg. Marshall compensates for this with his exceptionally long reach (a reach that has earned him the nickname- ‘the Monkey Man’ among his squash peers). In terms of ancillary benefits from this sport, he says that in addition to the general benefits that come from being physically active, there are also the mental benefits that come from competing and maybe winning (although he says it’s not only about winning). As for where his squash career will go from here; he says the Ontario championships are coming up early in the new year, and maybe, someday, having the honor of representing Canada in the Paralympics. If anyone can do it, we believe it is Marshall.

CHIRS client MT (left) joined Marshall right) and, we are told, acquitted himself very well. If you are interested in getting involved in the sport, and Marshall says they are always looking for new people; there is no fee to try it, so contact him through yvonnen@chirs.com.

You, too, can crush it on the squash courts.

Marshall L., a CHIRS client, demonstrates here the great reach that helped him place second in his first national tournament. The length of his reach has earned him the nickname “Monkey Man” among his squash peers.