From the sidelines, there’s no visible difference from one player to the next. They all use the same equipment, follow the same rules, play the same game. While that might change off the court, on this court, the only thing that’s obvious is ability.

The LaSalle Lightning is a unique wheelchair basketball organization that is open to both youth with disabilities and those without. Coach John Boyko says that while most sports programs are restricted to either able-bodied players or players with disabilities, LaSalle Lightning prides itself on including everyone.

“If you have someone with a disability and they have a friend coming out with them that doesn’t have a disability,” he says, “it’s important that they play with their friends rather than being left out.”

The team of 16 is gender and age-mixed; approximately half have a disability. Much like regular basketball, wheelchair basketball is played using full-size nets and three-point lines, and most of the rules are the same. The wheelchairs LaSalle Lightening uses are built exclusively for basketball, with slanted wheels that allow for better balance, control and protection. And on this team, it’s obvious that the players who don’t have a disability enjoy the game just as much as the players who do.

“I’m good at regular basketball,” says able-bodied team member Kyle, “and I started wheelchair basketball because I figured it was going to be more of a challenge. While I was doing it, I met more friends and I’m really having fun.”

Another team member, Tristen, who has a disability, says that he’s also made a lot of new friends and developed a greater sense of perseverance.

“I learned that you have to practice to be better at the sport,” he comments. “And it’s hard to shoot at first, but you have to keep trying.”

Along with providing an athletic and challenging atmosphere, LaSalle Lightning is also serving another important purpose – educating youth on the importance of inclusiveness.

“I find that some people don’t know about people with disabilities,” says Tristen, “so this way they get to learn more.” John says that everyone on the team has grown tremendously both in skill set and in mindset since the beginning of the season, and that the lessons learned in equality are invaluable.

“They are playing on a level playing field,” he explains. “So often, the kids have told me when they’re at school and doing gym classes, they can’t participate fully. But when they come to our program, it’s fully integrated and they can play with their friends on an equal level.”

And that’s a lesson that the team not only benefits from, but that the community benefits from as well.

“You know, in my mind,” John says, “if we’re having equal opportunities for everyone, we’re going to be stronger as a community.”