Ga. athletes breaking barriers through adaptive sports

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A group of Georgia athletes are breaking barriers through adaptive sports.

Many of the athletes said they are playing for fun, for community and they are making a statement at the same time.

To play the game of basketball, one needs to have drive, skill and passion.

“We have had numerous, hundreds of athletes who go on to play college wheelchair sports,” said Dawn Churi, BlazeSports executive director.

BlazeSports athletes have those qualities. The nonprofit teaches adaptive sports to people with disabilities. They also work with veterans. The organization was born out of the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games.

They play for fun and for their community.

“Some of our kids are the only ones at their school who are in a wheelchair,” said Churi.

“It is less about being competitive with one another and more about knowing each other’s stories and being able to learn from one another,” said 15-year-old Braxton Munkeo.

“It is a chance for me to get myself out there since I am homeschooled and I never got the chance to get many friends,” said 16-year-old Hannah Gladney.

Every dribble on the court and every basket made says something to the world around the young athletes.

“It is just kind of closeted that people with disabilities shouldn’t be able to, well, not shouldn’t be able to but it is not really something that is meant for them so it was nice to find Blaze and realize that was something I could do,” said Munkeo.

“You can never judge someone based on them being in a chair. Because everyone is different and it is not always what you think,” said 17-year-old Daniel Graham.

Sports has always been an arena big enough for everyone.

“Adaptive sports, whether it be the recreational level or all the way up to the highest level, is available hopefully in your community, certainly through Blaze,” said Churi.

“Recently, there has been a lot more inclusion and stuff, so it has been nice. We have been getting more recognition. It has been seen as a real sport,” said Graham.

“I wish people would see that it is just awesome to play basketball while you are handicapped, it gives you something to be proud of about yourself,” said Gladney.

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