Ballin’ on wheels
PHOTO: Davis High Alumn has dedicated her life to advocating for people with disabilities.
By Lauren Cornell
BlueDevilHUB.com Staff––
Mieko Chambers’ life took an unexpected turn in her senior year at Davis High when her high school sweetheart was diagnosed with cancer and lost his leg. That experience led to a lifetime of advocating for people with disabilities.
Chambers was taught to give back to the community from a young age. She was part of the Student Government and a member of Key Club before she graduated in 2001 and did a lot of volunteer work with STEAC (Short Term Emergency Aid Committee), a local organization that helps community members who are below the poverty level.
In high school, Chambers facilitated a sports equipment donation called “Sports for the World’s Children.” The sports equipment was sent to underprivileged children all over the world.
Chambers also volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Families First and many other volunteer programs while in high school. “I’ve always been able to contribute back to the community. It’s always been something that’s important to me,” Chambers said.
Chambers then founded Capital City Adaptive Athletes Foundation in 2017, with the goal to “support people with physical disabilities and bridge the gap between people with physical disabilities in the communities,” according to Chambers.
The desire to support the physically disabled members of the community started with Chambers’ high school boyfriend and now husband, Joseph Chambers. Joseph Chambers had cancer and lost his leg in 2004.
Chambers’ husband is a two-time wheelchair basketball paralympic. The couple wanted to build a program in their hometown that offered wheelchair basketball on a competitive level. Chambers was a part of the coaching staff for the 2019 Under 23 Women’s World Championship, where the basketball team took home gold.
“It’s really important to us to serve the community in different ways,” Chambers said.
The foundation organizes a number of different sports, including wheelchair softball and wheelchair tennis, for the physically disabled community members.
The non-profit’s most recent endeavor is starting a wheelchair basketball program inside of the California Medical Facility Prison in Vacaville. The program opened on Nov. 9.
The Capital City Adaptive Athletes Foundation works alongside city recreational departments and does community outreach. The groups will bring wheelchairs to schools, and demonstrate how to use them to people who aren’t physically disabled.
“We love doing it at elementary schools because it’s important to talk about inclusivity, diversity and overcoming obstacles,” Chambers said.
