Tracey Ferguson
Paralympian

Tracey Ferguson is aiming her sights on competing in the Beijing Paralympic Summer Games from September 6 to 17 as a member of the Paralympic team in wheelchair athletics. While this may seem like a daunting endeavor, the world of competitive sports is nothing new to this Holland Landing, Ontario resident. Tracey has been on four Paralympic teams and participated in two Gold Cups (World Championships). Tracey has been instrumental in helping the Wheelchair Basketball team win medals, the gold for teams in 1992, 1996, 2000, and the bronze in 2004. Even as a child, Tracey knew she was born to compete. An active and engaged youngster, she skipped over typical athletic dreams, like simply playing team sports, and set her hopes on the Olympics. Her winning attitude and Olympic hopes were soon dashed after a spinal surgery left her in a wheelchair, paralyzed at nine years old. While Tracey’s heart still possessed the drive of an athlete she was not aware of an avenue that existed where she could continue to compete.

As years went by, Tracey longed for an outlet to exercise her athletic drive. At twelve years old, everything changed when she discovered Variety Village. Variety Village champions wheelchair sports and sports and fitness for people of all abilities.

Sports such as wheelchair basketball, racing and tennis provided Tracey with a freedom she had not felt since the onset of her paralysis. Once again, she began to flourish athletically. Basketball evoked an immediate passion and Variety’s inclusive team atmosphere increased Tracey’s interest. Her initial experiences with Variety were further enriched by the support and encouragement of coaches who fostered not only athletic excellence, but personal growth.

Variety Village re-introduced Tracey to a lifestyle she thought she’d lost forever. Wheelchair sports, fully integrated with able-bodied players, helped renew her spirits and gave Tracey the confidence to dream again. Through her connection with Variety Village Tracey was exposed to countless opportunities, including a scholarship to play wheelchair basketball while studying at the University of Illinois.

And now she’s going to Beijing and striving to bring home the Gold!