Wheelchair Athletes 'Awareness Day' at Mattlin Middle School

Members of the Long Island Express Wheelchair Basketball Team paid a visit to the H.B. Mattlin Middle School, Tuesday, Dec. 10, and more than 800 fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders learned firsthand what wheelchair athletics are all about.

(REAR L. TO R.): Mattlin Assistant Principal Maxine Fisher, Mattlin Principal Harriet Copel and Mattlin Assistant Principal Bill Moore welcomed the athletes to the Middle School. Mattlin fifth-graders Andrew Levinson (front row, center) and Melanie Edmond (front row, right) were also on hand for the occasion.

Mike Zangari, Ed Waluk, Nick Katsounis, Joe Mendez, Louis Molina, Tom Madden, Bob Sellars and Jeannie Waters are all disabled, but that hasn't stopped them from becoming superb athletes and from living their lives to the fullest. Wheelchair Basketball is a tough sport indeed, especially when played with the intensity of these athletes from the Long Island Express.

The athletes introduced themselves to the children, fielded questions and then put on a demonstration of how the sport is played. It was a very informative, as well as entertaining morning for the youngsters and a lot of fun for the athletes.