When Durham College (DC) hosts the inaugural college/university sitting volleyball tournament next March, Ashley Green will hit the court with pride.

The first-year Recreation Therapy student is an enthusiastic participant in the sport, a modified version of volleyball primarily for athletes with a disability. During play, athletes sit on the floor and attempt to strike the ball over a lowered volleyball net.

At the ParaSport Ontario Awards Brunch earlier this summer, Green was officially introduced as the first member of DC’s sitting volleyball team.

“I’m honored to be the first Durham College student on the team,” she said. “It’s amazing to see the growth of the sport in the last six years, and I’m looking forward to getting to play competitively.”

All DC students are welcome to give the sport a try and tryouts begin this fall, and Green is excited to share it with new teammates and friends.

She initially took up the sport because it accommodated her disabilities.

“Even though I have had many good things happen to me, I’ve also had many obstacles thrown my way throughout my life, from having cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus to being partially paralyzed on the right side of my body. I’ve had several surgeries and SickKids Hospital has been like my second home,” she explained. “But I have never let anyone or anything get in my way or stop me from doing anything I want to do. I just never give up and do things to the best of my ability.”

That determination extends to her studies. She’s committed to giving back to SickKids and helping people deal with their own challenges by working in the healthcare sector. Having previously considered a career in nursing, she is now eager to learn all she can about recreation therapy so she can improve the quality of life for people of all abilities and ages. She believes her compassion, patience and calm demeanour make her ideally suited for the role.

“I love people, and I want to help them because it makes me happy when they’re happy.”