BlazeSports America fosters inclusive environments for young people through adaptive sports
Titus grew up in a sports-obsessed family and dreamed of playing soccer like his dad. However, by the age of six, he and his family learned that might not be possible. He was born with a progressive genetic condition called Mitochondrial disease, which causes muscle weakness, fatigue, and seizures.
Just when Titus’s world seemed to become smaller, he joined BlazeSports America that introduced him to adaptive sports. Suddenly, his world felt bigger than ever.
“Playing adaptive sports has given me a second chance to do what I love,” said Titus, who is now 12 years old.
“When I was younger, I had to stop playing sports because of my disability, and it was really hard. I’ve always loved sports and being competitive, so finding adaptive sports changed everything.”
BlazeSports America is a legacy of the first Paralympic Games hosted in the US in 1996. They are a grant partner of the Laureus Sport for Good USA Foundation, using sport to improve the lives of children and young people and unite communities through inclusive programming.
With a mission to change the lives of people with a physical disability, the Atlanta-based BlazeSports has been providing ongoing programming in adaptive sport, recreation, and physical activity to youth, adults, veterans and military personnel with physical disabilities and post-traumatic stress disorder.
In particular, its youth-specific programmes provide children and young people with training, support, and the opportunity to increase independence and improve health.
“Playing adaptive sports has given me a second chance to do what I love,” said Titus, who is now 12 years old.
“When I was younger, I had to stop playing sports because of my disability, and it was really hard. I’ve always loved sports and being competitive, so finding adaptive sports changed everything.”
BlazeSports America is a legacy of the first Paralympic Games hosted in the US in 1996. They are a grant partner of the Laureus Sport for Good USA Foundation, using sport to improve the lives of children and young people and unite communities through inclusive programming.
With a mission to change the lives of people with a physical disability, the Atlanta-based BlazeSports has been providing ongoing programming in adaptive sport, recreation, and physical activity to youth, adults, veterans and military personnel with physical disabilities and post-traumatic stress disorder.
In particular, its youth-specific programmes provide children and young people with training, support, and the opportunity to increase independence and improve health.
Titus tried wheelchair tennis, track and field, and swimming. He ultimately fell in love with wheelchair basketball, especially after scoring his first basket, which remains his favourite sporting memory.
With the help of experienced adaptive sports coaches and a supportive community, Titus unlocked his competitive spirit.
“It’s given me a way to keep growing as an athlete and have fun competing, and that means so much to me,” he said.
BlazeSports has reached 600 direct participants in 2024, offering over 290 sports sessions adapted for people with a disability.
For Titus, BlazeSports has done more than introduce him to adaptive sports.
“Blaze has given me the chance to be with kids who face similar struggles, but we don’t let those challenges get in the way,” he shared.
“Being on a team has also given me another family. My teammates and coaches understand what I go through, and we all help each other get better. We support each other no matter what, and we’ve had so many cool experiences traveling and playing against other teams across the country.”
The impact doesn’t stop on the basketball courts.
“Playing adaptive sports has also helped me in other parts of my life,” Titus added. “I’ve gotten stronger so I can handle my wheelchair better, and I’ve learned to be more responsible with my schoolwork and at home. Now, I see myself as an athlete with goals and dreams, and I’m more motivated to work hard to reach them.”
Image credits: BlazeSports America
With the help of experienced adaptive sports coaches and a supportive community, Titus unlocked his competitive spirit.
“It’s given me a way to keep growing as an athlete and have fun competing, and that means so much to me,” he said.
BlazeSports has reached 600 direct participants in 2024, offering over 290 sports sessions adapted for people with a disability.
For Titus, BlazeSports has done more than introduce him to adaptive sports.
“Blaze has given me the chance to be with kids who face similar struggles, but we don’t let those challenges get in the way,” he shared.
“Being on a team has also given me another family. My teammates and coaches understand what I go through, and we all help each other get better. We support each other no matter what, and we’ve had so many cool experiences traveling and playing against other teams across the country.”
The impact doesn’t stop on the basketball courts.
“Playing adaptive sports has also helped me in other parts of my life,” Titus added. “I’ve gotten stronger so I can handle my wheelchair better, and I’ve learned to be more responsible with my schoolwork and at home. Now, I see myself as an athlete with goals and dreams, and I’m more motivated to work hard to reach them.”
Image credits: BlazeSports America
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BlazeSports America is a grantee partner of Laureus Sport for Good USA, and is one of many programmes around the world supported by the wider Laureus global movement that use the power of sport to unite communities and foster inclusivity across cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic, gender, physical and (dis)ability differences. In 2024, more than 90,000 young people took part in Laureus-supported projects that promoted equal participation and inclusive societies.
Read more in the 2024 Impact Report
Read more in the 2024 Impact Report
