HOUSTON — Here at KHOU11 News, 'Standing For Houston' means celebrating our differerences and giving people a shout out when they step up!
So when we heard dozens of teen boys were doing everything they could too be more inclusive, well... we had to share their story!
"It's a whole different ball game," said Ben Yifrach who is a senior at Bellaire High School. He helped to organize the 7th annual Randy Reisbord AZA Wheelchair Basketball Tournament.
Money raised through registration and sponsorships benefits TIRR Memorial Hermann and its wheelchair basketball team called Hotwhweels!
"The rules are different," said players Daniel Johary.
"The main thing, to me, is how hard it is on your arms," said player Morgan Rosenbaum.
Playing basketball in a wheelchair is no joke. The tournament benefits able-bodied players and those who need a wheelchair to get around. It provides perspective and understanding and an opportunity to make new friends.
Inclusion is why the tournament was created in the first place.
Seven years ago Abraham Hausman-Weiss was a member of the Randy Reisbord AZA youth group. Hausman-Weiss played wheelchair basketball in high school and his youth group friends wanted to play with him. So, they created a tournament that requires all players to sit in a wheelchair.
In seven years the tournament's grow from a handful of teams to more than a dozen.
"Most people with disabilities won’t come and say I want to be included, because I think as a society, everyone wants to be included," said Peggy Turner who is an adaptive sports coach with TIRR Memorial Hermann. "To come together and demonstrate for all of us adults what life should be like."
It's a life-changing lesson, courtesy of some game-changing kids.
To donate to the Randy Reisbord AZA:
