Wheelchair-using Children Learn Basketball Basics
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| Ten year old Cece Ndokwu of Stamford, CT, flanked by United Spinal Association Nets wheelchair basketball team players Jim Jeffreys and Tom McDonald, takes aim at the beginners height basket at a wheelchair basketball clinic for kids with disabilities, held on Saturday, October 20th at the Brooklyn Sports Club. |
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| Pictured is retired New Jersey Nets forward Albert King with seven United Spinal Nets players. From left to right front row, Jason Soricelli (Selden, NY), Jose Garcia (Perth Amboy, NJ), Joe Bruno (Paramus, NJ). Second row, Dylan Levine (Paramus, NJ), Denton Johnson (Portchester, NY), Albert King, Jimmy Jeffreys (Patterson, NJ), and Tom McDonald (Clark, NJ). |
| Sponsors of the event included Forest City Ratner Companies, Independence Care Systems of New York City, the Brooklyn Sports Club, United Spinal Association, and member team players from the Eastern Wheelchair Basketball Conference. For participating children, basketball skills taught included wheelchair movement, passing, dribbling, and shooting. Wheelchairs specially designed for adaptive sports were provided. |
| Another highlight of the day was the visit and discussion by former Net Albert King, who spoke to the experienced and beginning players about the importance of working hard, and giving their best effort each time they take the court. The gracious Mr. King even jumped into a wheelchair built for basketball, and he learned first-hand that maneuvering the chair is not as easy as it might appear. |
| The United Spinal Nets wheelchair basketball team and Bulova Rolling Renegades, Nassau Kings, and United Spinal Cobras players thank our sponsors for their efforts to promote wheelchair basketball in Brooklyn, and for helping us to reach an underserved segment of the population to offer the physical and mental health benefits of adaptive sports that they would not otherwise know about. |
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United Spinal Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries or disorders. For over 60 years, we have fought for veteran’s rights and for the rights of all individuals with disabilities. We played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Our initiatives in research and education, government policy and legislation, civil rights and advocacy, accessibility and architectural design, and competitive athletics ensure that veterans and all Americans with spinal cord injury and disease live healthier, more independent and productive lives as active members of their communities. For more information, please visit www.unitedspinal.org or call 800-404-2898. |