Last night, my daughter and I left her gymnastics class and went to the Bryant Conference Center for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute's Night of Champions, honoring the University of Alabama's Adapted Athletics teams.

By the time we arrived, the event had already begun. We made our way through the FABULOUS buffet prepared by the Hotel Capstone and were fortunate enough to find seats at the front of the room, which was dimly lit and accented by crimson uplighting.

Tables were topped with white linens, capped by sports-themed centerpieces.

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We had the opportunity to hear from athletes, who shared their personal stories with us, including how they became wheelchair-bound as well as their accomplishments in sports and future events in which they will be involved.

Tonight, the Alabama Men's and Women's Wheelchair Basketball teams will play at Foster Auditorium.  The women will take on Arizona at 6 p.m., and the men will face the University of Texas at Arlintgon at 8 p.m.

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My daughter is a very active child.  She loves all things athletic. So, she was very interested in the idea of athletes performing in wheelchairs.  Attending the Night of Champions also gave me an opportunity to teach her about disabilities.  She saw the pictures the athletes shared of themselves before becoming disabled and asked questions about others in the audience. It prompted a bit of discussion, which I think will make her more understanding and less inquisitive when she sees someone in a wheelchair.  I'm grateful for OLLI's holding such an event, and I look forward to other events to come.

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