Wheelchair Basketball
Josie Aslakson
Courtney Ryan

Love & Wheelchair Basketball

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by Team USA

(L-R) Courtney Ryan and Josie Aslakson pose for a photo together.
(L-R) Josie Aslakson and Courtney Ryan pose for a photo together.
(Photo by Getty Images)
In honor of Pride Month, U.S. Paralympic couple Courtney Ryan and Josie Aslakson talked through their journey of how wheelchair basketball brought them together. 
They had a simple yet powerful message of how that came to be: 
Love who you want to love, be who you want to be.
Josie Aslakson
(L-R) Courtney Ryan and Josie Aslakson pose for a photo together.
Ryan praised the ability to have the confidence in sharing their story in hopes of inspiring anyone who may be dealing with the same struggle. 
“We’re so fortunate to be able to use this platform to share our story, in hopes that it connects with the younger generation and with anybody who may have struggled with identity … it gets better, it always does.”
Courtney Ryan
(L-R) Josie Aslakson and Courtney Ryan pose for a photo together.
The couple described the importance of their first interaction together when they competed in college and then to becoming teammates in 2019. 
It started out as a really great friendship. One night, I built up the courage and messaged her: I kind of have feelings for you. And if you don't have feelings for me, it's totally fine.
Courtney Ryan
I said, ‘I'm down with that.’ But I didn't really know what I identified as.
Josie Aslakson
(L-R) Courtney Ryan and Josie Aslakson pose for a photo together.
I knew that I had feelings for her and was attracted to her, but I wasn't really comfortable in my identity yet. I knew it was going to be a process – dating a woman was new to me at that time. Now I kind of realize that I'm in the Q+ category. I just love when I feel a soul connection, that's who I love.
Josie Aslakson
(L-R) Courtney Ryan and Josie Aslakson pose for a photo together.
The decision to come forward with the story of their relationship was not only important to the representation within the sport but also themselves. 
You can have an amazing relationship and still balance the respect that you have as teammates and still have that respect we have as coaches.
Courtney Ryan
It's honestly been a gift that we get to share all these experiences together.
Josie Aslakson
(L-R) Courtney Ryan and Josie Aslakson pose for a photo together.
(Photo by Getty Images)
Now Ryan and Aslakson are looking ahead to competing on home soil at the Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028 as a last hurrah. 
We want to fight for gold because we know our team is good enough to achieve that.
Josie Aslakson
I get the opportunity to retire with my person and my partner and see what's next. It's exciting. It's hard to put into words sometimes.
Courtney Ryan