An unknown neuro-muscular disorder might have put Alison Levine into a wheelchair, but it couldn't keep her away from contact sports, in the form of wheelchair rugby.
She's enjoying her return to an activity that looks a little like bumper cars.
"It means I can totally be myself again, to be rough and tumble. I've always been very independent. This rugby chair is giving me a tool and so is the sport and it's amazing for me," said Alison Levine.
Alison's mom said that the sport has given a good outlet for her energies.
"The choices you have is in your reaction. You have to be realistic. As the kids say, ‘it sucks' but your choices are to cover up or deal with it," said Roberta Levine.
"Alison by herself and with some help decided that she was going to live and thrive," said mom.
Levin has made it to Team Montreal and Team Quebec and revels in the sport, particularly to the contact.
"That's what drew me to it. You get to cream people. It sounds bad but…" she said.
Her coach salutes her tenacity.
"She brings stamina. Never quits. And she's a good player too," said her Coach Alain Paquette.
But because her condition continues to get worse, a future with team Canada is out of the question. For Alison it's all about taking life one day at a time
"It's so important, in my life sports has helped me and if other people can find that, then that's the benefit right there," she said.ctvmontreal.ca
