Basketball Players Stand Tall While Sitting Down

Larry Toler and Robert Tucker stressed to students at the importance of getting an education and setting goals.

The Baltimore men also said they always try to stand tall in the face of adversity, even though they have to do it sitting down. Toler and Tucker are members of the Maryland Ravens wheelchair basketball team, which visited the Essex school on Friday to provide disability awareness and to help promote overcoming obstacles as well as making good choices to keep children safe.

The team also provided its perspective on life. They even allowed students the opportunity to understand the issues they face by letting them play a game of basketball in a wheelchair.

“Never give up,” Toler told the students, “I don’t care how many shots you missed, I don’t care how many shots you made what makes me proud is that you didn’t give up. Some kids when they didn’t give up they made a basket.”

Since 1972, the Maryland Ravens have provided wheelchair basketball as a competitive recreational program for many of Maryland's physically impaired adults and youths. As a member of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) and the Capital Conference, the Maryland Ravens compete annually against many of the other highly talented NWBA teams.

During the Maryland Ravens' early years, they were ranked amongst the top 25 wheelchair teams in the country, and won the 2006 Division III National Wheelchair Basketball Championship.

The team's goals are to promote handicap awareness in the metropolitan area through athletics, lectures and community service.

In addition to providing a recreational outlet for physically challenged youths and adults, the Maryland Ravens give lectures and demonstrations in schools across the state, including in Baltimore City, as well as Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Harford and Montgomery counties.

“We know that physically we are disadvantaged. However, that does not preclude us from driving, swimming, playing sports, traveling, attending church, attending college or working,” Toler said. “Therefore, the non-disabled person should strive to achieve more out of life.

"Furthermore, we have been considered excellent 'roll models' for elementary school children as we roll into their classrooms and communities to dispel the myths that they have regarding the handicapped.”

Tucker has been a participant with the Maryland Ravens' Disability Awareness Program for more than 10 years. Born with spina bifida, Tucker has participated in wheelchair softball, track, tennis and basketball.

“I tell the young people, do your very best in your school work and life," Tucker said. "Believe in your dreams.”