CHARLESTON, Ill. (WAND) — An accessible, immersive basketball event took the court at Eastern Illinois University on Monday.
"If you find someone who believes in you, you can have success in your life," said Bryce Weiler, the co-founder of the Beautiful Lives Project.
The project was founded in 2017, and gives people with disabilities the opportunity to actively participate in activities and events that may not have been available to them previously due to physical or facility limitations.
The EIU Men's and Women's basketball teams hosted around 50 individuals living with disabilities for a morning full of free throws at Groniger Arena.
"Their attitudes are off the charts. I think we're going to learn more from them than they'll learn from us," said head men's basketball coach Marty Simmons.Â
Simmons said he couldn't be more excited to have his team teaching and playing with people who don't get this experience every day. He knows the players will be better because of it.
One player, Kooper Jacobi, shared how much his perspective has changed after today, "It makes you never take a moment for granted."
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