In the final months of 2024, Renfrew County Catholic schools in the Pembroke and Petawawa areas had the privilege of hosting Paralympian Jolan Wong, who introduced students to the sport of sitting volleyball. Wong, a Paralympic Bronze Medalist for Canada and a pioneer in the sport, shared her expertise to promote accessible, inclusive, and equitable sports.
Jolan’s journey began when she lost her leg to osteogenic sarcoma, the same bone cancer that affected Terry Fox, at the age of 13. While she was passionate about sports during her school years, it wasn’t until five years after her amputation that she discovered sitting volleyball, an adaptive sport. At 18, she was introduced to the sport by her coach, and since then, she has proudly represented Canada on the national team for 16 seasons.
Wong expressed how honoured she was to sit down with these students and help them learn a new sport that is near and dear to her.
In 2024, Jolan and her team achieved a historic milestone by bringing home Canada’s first-ever Paralympic medal in sitting volleyball, defeating Brazil in the Bronze medal match. Her passion for adaptive sports stems from her own experience of discovering parasports later in life and the sense of equality they provide.
During her visits to local schools, Jolan engaged with students, sharing her journey and teaching them the fundamentals of sitting volleyball. The workshops were a hit, with students actively participating in skill-building sessions and games. Jolan’s message of inclusion and accessibility resonated strongly with the students, encouraging them to consider the importance of adaptive sports in creating a level playing field for everyone.
The main goal Wong hopes the kids take away from this, is that you can do anything you set your mind and heart on.
Jolan’s commitment to educating others about parasports and disabilities goes beyond her athletic career. As a mother of three, she has homeschooled her children, promoting “world schooling” and instilling the values of inclusivity and accessibility.
To show their gratitude, Clint Young, Superintendent of Educational Services, along with Damian Solar and Angela Bergeron, presented Jolan with a token of thanks for her dedication to teaching Renfrew County students about sitting volleyball and the Paralympic spirit.
(Written by: Emma Butler)
