Stories & Essays: The Cripplers

Introducing Hampton Roads' quadriplegic rugby team, the East Coast Cripplers. They fly down the court. They get knocked out of their chairs. They are athletes.

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Donald Crandall stretches after practice. Quad rugby is played with a ball identical to a volleyball. The East Coast Cripplers' practice ball is black from years of Stickum - which players use to aid grip - dirt and grime. Players must be quadriplegic or paraplegics, with at least some loss of function in 3 or 4 limbs.(Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
   
Kevin Crombie crawls back to his rugby chair after horsing around at practice. Crombie was only 9 months old when he contracted a virus that attacked his spinal column and left his legs paralyzed. "If they came up with a cure I wouldn't take it," he said. "Why would I? I've done more in a chair than people have done out."(Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
   
Scott Hildebrant uses his teeth to unwrap his taped wrist after a scrimmage. (Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
     
  
Coach Travis Thompson (face shown) and John Crombie transfer Sheldon Lanye back into his everyday chair after a game. Rugby chairs are custom made for each player and designed to withstand high impact. In the background is player Steven McGuire.(Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
   
East Coast Crippler Eric Ingram fights for possession during a game against Philadelphia in a regional tournament in Hampton, Va.(Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
   
Donald Crandall gets a kiss from his girlfriend, Marykate McCloud between games at a tournament in Hampton, Va. The couple knew each other in high school, before Don's accident, but reunited recently and have been dating for a year. (Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
     
  
Donald Crandall cools off after soaking in the hotel whirlpool one night after playing a tournament in New Jersey. (Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
   
East Coast Crippler Kevin Crombie (left) laughs as Len Lacina, of the New York team, topples over while goofing around outside the hotel on Friday night after competing in the United States Quad Rugby Association's National Championship Tournament in Birmingham, Ala. The players say one of the best things about the tournaments is being able to hang out with friends. (Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
   
Team members (from left) Steve McGuire, Donald Crandall (background) and Scott Hildebrant hang out in the hotel lobby with players from other teams during the Atlantic Sectional tournament in New Jersey.(Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
     
  
Donald Crandall shows off a tattoo he got ten years after his spinal cord injury, the most common condition among quad rugby players. "That's my missing link," he said, "I snapped it right there."(Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
   
Natasha Dunphy, 3, sits in Donald's everyday chair as he heads to the court for a game at the nationals in Birmingham. Natasha's father, who is Donald's cousin, drove his family up from Atlanta to watch a few games. (Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
   
Sheldon Layne throws the ball into play during a game against New York Warriors in the Atlantic Sectional championships tournament. Quad rugby is a game largely based on turnovers as two teams of four work to get the ball down a basketball court and over a goal line. ECC's Eric Ingram (far left) reaches for a catch as New York's Keith Cavill moves in. (Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
     
  
East Coast Crippler Scott Hildebrant catches his breath and cools off under water mist during a game against Utah, their first of the tournament, during the USQRA Nationals. Some quads don't have the physical ability to sweat, so they must use other ways to try to cool themselves. (Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
   
East Coast Crippler Kevin Crombie chases down the ball during a game against the Philadelphia Magee Eagles in Hampton, Va.(Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
   
A group of teenagers, playing basketball on an adjacent court, peek through the divider to watch one of the quad rugby games in Hampton. "I think it's important for us 1) to get out and show people how much we're capable of," said Steven McGuire and, "2) to show others like us how much we're capable of so they can get out."(Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)
     
  
Donald Crandall hangs onto the rail as a few of the guys relax in the hotel whirlpool one night after competing in a tournament in New Jersey. In the background at left is Josh Price, who helps out with the team and his son, J.P., 14.(Preston Gannaway/The Virginian-Pilot)