On May 8, Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital and the Bay State Wheelers will hold their annual wheelchair basketball game. It will be the 12th time the two teams have met on the court — and probably the 12th time the Wheelers will win. But if you’ve ever been to one of the games, you know that the event goes way beyond the concept of winning and has much more to do with teamwork, raising awareness about the abilities of people with disabilities, and, of course, fun. Similarly, who the Wheelers are goes way beyond a yearly basketball game with Fairlawn or the fact that players have a physical disability precluding them from playing basketball without a wheelchair.Following, in the words of the Wheelers themselves, we hear exactly what being a part of this team really means.

In his job at the Center for Living and Working, Peter Lorange helps people with disabilities to maximize their independent living skills so they can live a full life in the community. In his own life, the Wheelers have helped him to do the same. “Basketball has been a big part of my life since being paralyzed 25 years ago,” he said. “It has given me an outlet to exercise, compete, travel, and enjoy teamwork, team spirit, and camaraderie.”
McArthur Williams, who works at the Multi-Cultural Independent Living Center of Boston, is a Wheelers’ rookie. After just one season with the team, he says, “It is a blessing to play wheelchair basketball. You grow up playing basketball as a competitive sport, and then to see the same level of competition in wheelchair basketball is beautiful. I love this sport.”
For Adam Joseph Ploof, a part-time student and customer service rep, playing wheelchair ball has been a life-changing experience. “Despite a physical disability, I can still play an active sport and enjoy the simple human response of dedicating myself to something, work hard at it, and achieve a set goal,” he said. “This transcends being in a wheelchair. I look at my accomplishments on the court the same as I do school — ‘Wow, look at what I just did!’”

For many years, along with basketball, the Wheelers have provided waterskiing, track and field, and wheelchair tennis for people with disabilities. Lately, they’ve set their sights on additional ventures. The BSW basketball team recently joined a national league, providing players a chance to travel through- out the U.S. to compete against other organized teams. They are also pursuing activities for people unable to participate in athletics — including a computer gaming club. And at some point, the Wheelers hope to initiate programs for children with disabilities so they too can experience the joys of team sports. So, when you purchase tickets for the May 8th game, you will become a part of all that the Wheelers are doing and aspire to do.

This year’s game begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Bancroft School, Shore Drive, Worcester. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. Kids under five are admitted free.