In the second installment of the Amputeam Basketball Challenge, sponsored by Wright & Filippis, Rochester Hills, Michigan, the Amputeam Spartans took on the Beaumont Hospital All-Stars. The event was held on October 6 in Royal Oak, Michigan, with proceeds from the joint venture to benefit the American Red Cross in its ongoing efforts to assist hurricane victims. The first game between the Providence All-Stars and the Spartans was won by the Amputeam 49-48. This game was similarly close, with the score 34-33 Beaumont. The greater goal--raising money--was accomplished as the event raised $3,550 to be donated to the Red Cross. The Amputeam Spartans is a team composed solely of lower-extremity amputees playing full-court, five on five basketball with no adaptations to the game. The team was put together by Brad Shebib, MPT, Wright & Filippis' prosthetic gait specialist, in an effort to raise awareness of amputee abilities, foster relationships between Wright & Filippis and local hospitals, and begin the process of creating amputee basketball as a full-time Paralympic sport. "We were surprised to discover that the Paralympics do not have amputee basketball as an event, even with the popularity of wheelchair basketball," said Shebib. "We felt this would be a wonderful opportunity to raise the community awareness that these guys can playand play well. It is our goal, long-term, to create a Paralympic team for the United States." In the future, the Spartans will continue to challenge local hospital systems around the state in an effort to raise money for worthy charities, according to Wright & Filippis. For more information visit www.amputeam.com
In the second installment of the Amputeam Basketball Challenge, sponsored by Wright & Filippis, Rochester Hills, Michigan, the Amputeam Spartans took on the Beaumont Hospital All-Stars. The event was held on October 6 in Royal Oak, Michigan, with proceeds from the joint venture to benefit the American Red Cross in its ongoing efforts to assist hurricane victims. The first game between the Providence All-Stars and the Spartans was won by the Amputeam 49-48. This game was similarly close, with the score 34-33 Beaumont. The greater goal--raising money--was accomplished as the event raised $3,550 to be donated to the Red Cross. The Amputeam Spartans is a team composed solely of lower-extremity amputees playing full-court, five on five basketball with no adaptations to the game. The team was put together by Brad Shebib, MPT, Wright & Filippis' prosthetic gait specialist, in an effort to raise awareness of amputee abilities, foster relationships between Wright & Filippis and local hospitals, and begin the process of creating amputee basketball as a full-time Paralympic sport. "We were surprised to discover that the Paralympics do not have amputee basketball as an event, even with the popularity of wheelchair basketball," said Shebib. "We felt this would be a wonderful opportunity to raise the community awareness that these guys can playand play well. It is our goal, long-term, to create a Paralympic team for the United States." In the future, the Spartans will continue to challenge local hospital systems around the state in an effort to raise money for worthy charities, according to Wright & Filippis. For more information visit www.amputeam.com