The Impact of Adapted Sports Participation on Community Engagement in a Patient with Severe Dysarthria

This presentation will examine the case of a young patient with severe dysarthria following a stroke, who, after two years of impairment-focused outpatient therapy, discovered renewed hope through participation in adapted sports. While the patient’s primary rehabilitation goals were to regain the ability to walk and speak, his progress in achieving a functional gait pattern did not mitigate the social challenges he faced, particularly the immediate judgment of his intelligence based on his speech difficulties (due to severe dysarthria). Integration into the adaptive sports community provided him with a sense of belonging, enabling him to redefine his aspirations, establish new social goals, and develop the confidence to pursue employment opportunities. However, a significant ongoing challenge remains navigating the complexities of forming romantic relationships post-disability.