Wendy Werner
CherryRoad Media
In the 2024 Paralympics, held in France, Natalie Schneider of Syracuse, was on the 12-member USA Wheelchair Basketball team that received a Silver Medal.
The 2024 Paralympics were Schneider’s fifth paralympic appearance and her fourth medaling having received Gold medals in 2008 (first appearance) and 2016 and a Bronze medal in 2022.
Playing Wheelchair Basketball was a full circle moment for Schneider. Schneider’s sibling’s played basketball, her dad coached and she played through her sophomore year of high school.
The summer after her sophomore year and after she helped the Crete High School girl’s basketball team make it to state, Schneider was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer in her distal femur.
She went through 10 months of chemotherapy and the bottom half of her femur and knee-joint were replaced with a titanium prothesis.
As a result, she could not run or jump thus she was not able to play basketball, a game she loved.
Schneider said the diagnosis was life changing. “I really missed being competitive,” she said.
After graduating from college, Schneider became aware of a sitting volleyball league and through that she learned of wheelchair basketball.
Considerations for eligibility for wheelchair basketball include a permanent physical disability, a hip or knee replacement or an amputation.
Players are rated on a classification system and the total of five players on the court cannot exceed 14.
Schneider is rated a 4.5 which is the highest classification possible.
Players’ wheelchairs vary based on their level of disability.
The USA Wheelchair Basketball team has members from all over the United States. Throughout Schneider’s time on the team, she has trained independently with the team meeting up for training camps once a month, usually in Colorado Springs. Additionally, there were competitions to prepare or qualify for the Paralympics.
The 2023 Sportswoman of the Year – Team Recipient says she is going to retire. One of her goals is to finish her Personal Training Certification.
Schneider uses her voice to raise awareness letting others.
