Michael Chamberlain has been playing wheelchair basketball with disabled children for the past five years, and he’s not about to stop anytime soon.On Saturday, Chamberlain and the kids from Carrie Tingley Hospital were joined by a player from the Albuquerque Isotopes and their mascot, Orbit, but it’s the children themselves who bring the most joy.”The biggest thing is, they love being around each other,” Chamberlain said. “It’s the greatest thing to be around.”Chamberlain said that adaptive sports — sports played by disabled people — are both important and exciting to watch. Important because it teaches that “there’s more to life than just sitting around and doing nothing,” and exciting because of the determination and athleticism that’s demonstrated.With the kids from Carrie Tingley, being with others living within limitations gives them the freedom to do things they might otherwise be self-conscious about. Having a pro baseball player come and play with them also sends an important message.”They love the fact that somebody cares about them, and when you’re working with them, that’s what it is,” Chamberlain said.Isotopes outfield Braiden Ward said that trying his hand at wheelchair basketball wasn’t easy.”I never thought my shoulder could hurt this much,” Ward said. “It’s one thing where you see it online or on TV or at the Special Olympics, and you’re like, ‘Hey, wheelchair basketball, whatever.’ Then you actually try to do it — try to dribble and also move the wheelchair. You’re a professional athlete, and you feel like you’re a second grader.”Chamberlain said those who don’t have time to share with kids doing this don’t know what they’re missing.”Just to come out here and compete and just feel normal,” Ward said. “I think it’s the most beautiful thing in the world.”

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

Michael Chamberlain has been playing wheelchair basketball with disabled children for the past five years, and he’s not about to stop anytime soon.

On Saturday, Chamberlain and the kids from Carrie Tingley Hospital were joined by a player from the Albuquerque Isotopes and their mascot, Orbit, but it’s the children themselves who bring the most joy.

“The biggest thing is, they love being around each other,” Chamberlain said. “It’s the greatest thing to be around.”

Chamberlain said that adaptive sports — sports played by disabled people — are both important and exciting to watch. Important because it teaches that “there’s more to life than just sitting around and doing nothing,” and exciting because of the determination and athleticism that’s demonstrated.

With the kids from Carrie Tingley, being with others living within limitations gives them the freedom to do things they might otherwise be self-conscious about. Having a pro baseball player come and play with them also sends an important message.

“They love the fact that somebody cares about them, and when you’re working with them, that’s what it is,” Chamberlain said.

Isotopes outfield Braiden Ward said that trying his hand at wheelchair basketball wasn’t easy.

“I never thought my shoulder could hurt this much,” Ward said. “It’s one thing where you see it online or on TV or at the Special Olympics, and you’re like, ‘Hey, wheelchair basketball, whatever.’ Then you actually try to do it — try to dribble and also move the wheelchair. You’re a professional athlete, and you feel like you’re a second grader.”

Chamberlain said those who don’t have time to share with kids doing this don’t know what they’re missing.

“Just to come out here and compete and just feel normal,” Ward said. “I think it’s the most beautiful thing in the world.”