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

Many of the athletes said they played for fun and for the community and at the same time wanted to make a statement.

Playing basketball requires drive, skill and passion.

“We have had numerous, hundreds of athletes who have gone on to compete in wheelchair sports at college level,” said Dawn Churi, CEO of BlazeSports.

BlazeSports athletes have these qualities. The non-profit organization teaches disabled people how to do disability sports. It also works with veterans. The organization was founded as part of the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta.

They play for fun and for their community.

“Some of our children are the only ones in their school who use wheelchairs,” Churi said.

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

“For me, this is a chance to get out since I am home-schooled and never had the chance to make many friends,” says 16-year-old Hannah Gladney.

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

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

“You can never judge someone by the way they sit on a chair. Because everyone is different and it’s not always what you think,” said 17-year-old Daniel Graham.

Sport has always been an arena where everyone was big enough.

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

“There’s been a lot more inclusion and stuff lately, so it’s been nice. We’ve gotten more recognition. It’s seen as a real sport,” Graham said.

“I wish people would realize that playing basketball despite having a disability is a great thing to be proud of,” Gladney said.

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