Members of the Cicero Fire Department strapped themselves in wheelchairs to play a charity game March 28th at the Cicero Community Center against the Chicago Fire, a Chicago based disabled sports team.

The Chicago Fire team, won, but it was close CEO and Founder of the Midwest Wheelchair and Sports Social Club Keith Wallace said in an interview after the game.

The Midwest Wheelchair and Sports Social Club hosts exhibition games to raise funds to cover the costs for the Chicago Fire to travel to local and national competitions. The group has been playing wheelchair basketball as the Chicago Fire since 2005.

“We didn’t make the finals this year and the money we raised was donated to West Suburban Special Recreation Association which helps organize similar sporting events around the Cicero area,” Wallace said. “We appreciate the support that we get from the Town of Cicero and President Larry Dominick. Cicero has a strong commitment to supporting the disabled.”

The Midwest Wheelchair and Sports Social Club not only sponsors wheelchair basketball, they also sponsor Wheelchair softball. The wheelchair softball team is called the Chicago White Sox. The Wheelchiar White Sox won the Division 2 National title in August last year. The tournament was held at US Cellular. Games are often played against police and fire departments in Chicago and in the suburbs to raise funds to help pay for the equipment, and other expenses including travel, Wallace said.

Wallace said that his group will help any disabled individual who wishes to participate in the wheelchair sports competition. You can call him at 773-220-4522. If you are in this region, you can joint their group. If you are in a different region of the state or even the country, Wallace said, he can help connect you with a wheelchair athletic group near you. For more information visit the web site: www.mdwssc.org.