Nov. 12—MORGANTOWN — University High School senior Indigo Bruehwiler began playing wheelchair basketball in the fourth grade.
Affected by a congenital defect in her right leg, Bruehwiler took to adaptive sports at a young age. Bruehwiler spent time with other children with limb differences at youth camps. As she grew older, she began playing adaptive sports — those with rules or modifications that allow people with physical, cognitive, or other disabilities to play. Wheelchair basketball quickly became her favorite, and she noticed how well adapted and confident her teammates were.
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With her leg amputated from the knee down, Indigo overcame many challenges to become the athlete she is today. Despite the circumstances, Bruehwiler was excited to push her body physically. She continued playing wheelchair basketball and took up amputee soccer and scuba diving. When her family moved from Washington, D.C., to Morgantown in 2022, she continued physical therapy as part of her recovery and strengthening.
“I moved here in 2022, and there isn’t any wheelchair basketball in West Virginia, ” Bruehwiler said. “But my coaches really pushed me to keep training and even told me I could continue playing with their team, even three hours away. That motivated me to pursue playing collegiately and is what pushed me to bring my sport to our area.”
Bruehwiler has worked diligently to introduce wheelchair basketball to Monongalia County and the Morgantown area. She held a multi-day clinic at UHS and even visited local students to demonstrate her sport.
“I’m working with WVU to bring wheelchair basketball to Mon County, ” she said. “I was at Westwood Middle last month for two days, and we had over 700 participants. It’s great to see hands-on engagement and see how excited people get about learning wheelchair basketball. O haven’t lived here for long but seeing the impact I am able to make in the community in such a short time is incredible. I’m proud of the positive change that’s being inspired by what I’m trying to do.”
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On Wednesday morning, Bruehwiler signed with the University of Alabama’s women’s wheelchair basketball program, the premier program in the nation and the winner of five consecutive national championships.
“I honestly can’t believe I have the chance to be a part of this program, ” Indigo said. “The head coach has been the coach of Paralympic teams several times. The assistant coach has been a member of the National team for nearly a decade.”
Alabama is the only program with its own adaptive sports facility, equipped with amenities specific to wheelchair basketball.
“The resources, team culture, and the motivation to help me reach the next level are really what drew me to make my decision, ” Bruehwiler said. “Many of the players on the team play at the Paralympic level, and I’m thankful to have the opportunity to train with a program like Alabama.”
