Over the years, DMTT has helped hundreds of individuals, clubs and groups to access and provide tennis for people with disabilities. From specialist equipment and wheelchairs to funding for coaches, the money you have and can help raise for DMTT really does matter and really does help.
Here’s the story of Justin, who currently plays wheelchair tennis as regularly as he can, although unfortunately the pain resulting from his car-accident injuries, means this is a bit hit and miss.
“Before my accident Emma (my wife) and I had always enjoyed taking part in a wide variety of sports including running, cycling, skiing and surfing - it would be fair to say we spent more time outside than indoors. We both enjoyed watching tennis on TV but had only played a couple of times together.
“Then things changed. Back in May 2008, I had a serious road traffic accident in which I suffered sever spinal damage. This was later compounded as I developed Chronic Pain Syndrome, along with other complications that came with a loss of mobility.
“It took about two years after my accident before I started to feel in a position where I wanted to get fit again. Initially I started to go out for exercise in my wheelchair, then one day we were passing the local tennis court and I thought, I wonder if I could play tennis in my wheelchair, so Emma and I dug out a couple of old rackets and went back to the court and the rest, as they say is history.
“At present we play once, or if I'm not in too much pain, twice a week although to be honest I’m just not able to do that as often as I would like. I think it's important to find a balance between playing and enjoying the benefits of spending time on the court, and not playing too often and causing myself more physical damage.
“We usually play outdoors on a local court if the weather is good, or if not we play indoors at the John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds. The centre has excellent facilities for physically challenged players.
“I currently have regular coaching sessions at the centre with Ross Bibby, Leeds City Council Disability Sports Office and LTA Coach. Emma also joins me for these sessions and is learning to play in a wheelchair. The centre holds a wheelchair tennis session on a Friday night and they also arrange tournaments. I hope to join the Friday night session after a few more coaching sessions and it would be great to think that I could be in a position to enter a tournament at some point in the near future – I always try to be optimistic! I wouldn’t mind if I could only play one match, just the thought of participating in a tournament would be so motivating and such a positive experience I am sure – I have set it as one of my goals, so fingers crossed.
I remember the day very clearly when I first heard about the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust. Last year we had been lucky enough to get tickets to the men's semi-finals at Wimbledon, and during a break in the Juan Del Potro vs Novak Djokovic match I got taking to a guy in a wheelchair next to me. We chatted about playing tennis and he asked what chair I used, I told him I played in my everyday chair, the chair I was sat it, and he looked at me like I was mad! He then went on to tell me all about the Dan Maskell Trust, the grants and opportunities they gave people like myself and the benefits of a tennis wheelchair. Once we got back home, I downloaded a grant application form and I was lucky enough to be successful and received a wonderful tennis wheelchair from the Trust.
“There’s no doubt that since my accident, playing tennis has been positive for me in so many ways. I have always loved sport and wheelchair tennis gave me back most of the things I missed, spending time outside, having fun, setting goals, the sense of achievement when you hit a great shot, laughing when I manage to drop a cheeky shot over the net and getting mad when training does not go to plan! But I suppose most of all I forget about my physical challenges and I feel like myself.
“If anyone finds themselves in my situation, my advice would be - don't wait as long as I did. Contact your local disability sports officer and try out a few sports and start having fun again. If you find you love tennis then contact the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust!”
