Dan ‘WheelsDan’ Metcalfe was in 2014 left paralysed from the waist down after a motorcycle accident. Four years later, his dreams of Paralympic hand-cycling were ended when he was hit by a car during a 600mile charity bike ride, with only 14 miles to complete. So what did he do? Achieve three scuba diving world records…

In this episode of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, Part 3 our series on ‘Working With Athletes With Disabilities’, Dan ‘WheelsDan’ Metcalfe shares with us honest & open details about his journey, and gives us an insight into the physical & psychological support he received along the way. With Dan are two specialists who have worked with him: Nicola Hunt, Neurological & Vestibular Physiotherapist, and Dr Katherine Dawson, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist. Together, they explore the importance of understanding identities, navigating PTSD, and the role of therapeutic alliance in recovery.

This episode emphasizes the therapeutic power of sport in recovery and the vital role of therapists in supporting athletes’ physical and emotional journeys. Join us as we uncover the stories of resilience, camaraderie, and triumph over adversity, and learn how these games are not just about winning medals but also about healing and personal growth. Tune in to gain insights into working with athletes with disabilities and explore how the support of attentive therapists like Carla and Jenny can spark remarkable transformations.