RAF MILDENHALL, England -- RAF Mildenhall’s Diversity and Inclusion Council hosted a wheelchair basketball demonstration at the Hardstand gym here Oct. 30, 2019.
The event provided an opportunity to showcase the skills of wheelchair athletes, give Airmen a chance to experience it for themselves and celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Held in October, the awareness month aims to educate people about disability employment as well as to recognize the contributions of employees with disabilities.
Angie Johnson, president of the the Diversity and Inclusion Council, worked in collaberation with local partners to put together an event to close out the month.
“The Diversity and Inclusion Council at RAF Mildenhall is responsible for all the monthly national obeservances,” Johnson said. “This year we partnered with Steel Bones, a charity devoted to assisting amputees, and we decided to do something fun to end the month so we planned this wheelchair basketball event.”
One of the main objectives of the month has been to help increase employment and advancement opportunities for those with disabilities through awareness.
“Almost 10 percent of the U.S. civilians employed by the 100th Air Refueling Wing have self identified as having some type of disability,” said Gracie Erickson, 100th Force Support Squadron operation chief of U.S. programs.
Airmen from all over the base had the opportunity to face off against the Hereward Heat wheelchair basketball club. The friendly game of wheelchair basketball was also an opportunity for the Airmen to see how these athletes get around in their daily lives.
“It was a blast-the most fun I’ve ever had playing basketball,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Lundy, 95th Reconaissance Squadron chief inspector quality assurance. “It was also a very challenging and eye-opening experience of what these athletes go through everyday of their lives, I am very happy I was able to take part in it.”