Meet the first hijab-wearing non-verbal wheelchair basketballer

Reema El Qassem, a 35-year-old woman, has become the first hijab-wearing, non-verbal wheelchair basketball player in the Women's National Wheelchair Basketball League. She discovered the sport after facing a challenging journey with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), which left her paralyzed and unable to speak. The adrenaline and speed of the game drew her to wheelchair basketball, and it became a pathway to normality for her.

Playing for the Sydney Uni Lions, El Qassem is regarded as one of the top up-and-coming players in the league.

Coach Hannah Dodd has been instrumental in teaching El Qassem how to control her speed and use it effectively. El Qassem relies on body language and facial expressions, along with her phone app, to communicate with her teammates. However, this method can be difficult during games when ambient noise is high. The Sydney Uni Lions have been working on finding an effective communication solution for El Qassem, such as talking buttons or even a small air horn, but have not yet found a satisfactory solution.

El Qassem's journey into wheelchair basketball is remarkable, as she is the first non-verbal player to wear a hijab on the court. Muslim women often face barriers in sports due to modesty needs, discrimination, and inflexibility around religious and cultural practices. El Qassem's inclusion in the league helps educate others about her culture and faith, and she is met with support from her teammates and coaches.

Balancing her sport, faith, and family life is challenging for El Qassem, especially as a single mother of four daughters, some of whom also have additional needs. She has found strength in her children's support and takes them to national league games to help them appreciate the value of people with disabilities. El Qassem's experience as a non-verbal player has also helped her develop her communication skills and understand the game better.

Her presence on the court has made a significant impact on her community and has shown that anyone can play, regardless of their abilities or background.