It’s been almost 10 years since Chris Etheridge was driving to work on a sunny October morning.

Ten years since another car smashed into his head-on. Since the wreck that took his left leg and left him with nerve damage in his right that no longer allows him to walk.

Don’t pity him, though. Even though he can’t actually step on a playing field, the former Porters Chapel Academy basketball coach has become one of the best wheelchair athletes in the country.

He’s a state tennis champion and accomplished softball player, and he’s not shy about promoting the abilities of he and his fellow disabled athletes.

“There’s a misconception about the competitive side of disabled sports. People come and see us and say, ‘Oh, that’s precious.’ More than a third of these guys played college or professional sports,” said Etheridge, who now lives in Raymond. “We take it pretty seriously.”

When he’s not playing, Etheridge works to get others involved through Metro Area Community Empowerment. The non-profit group based in Jackson works statewide to teach adaptive sports and recreational activities to the disabled. Etheridge is on the board of directors.

He’s also president of the Deep South Hurricanes, a competitive slow-pitch softball team that has athletes from all over the Gulf South.

The Hurricanes were selected to host the World Series of Wheelchair Softball Aug. 6-8 in Biloxi. It’s one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments, just a step below the Paralympics, and more than 300 teams will compete.

The Hurricanes have plenty of money to put on the tournament through grants and donations, but are now appealing to Mississippi residents to make it better.

In addition to volunteers, they’d like a little extra cash to help with things like hospitality and transportation for athletes. Etheridge has started a fund drive on the GoFundMe web site.

Etheridge said it’s an effort to get the state behind the event and to recognize wheelchair sports in general.

The site is gofundme.com/ue84dg.

“It’s to get the state of Mississippi involved. Will the money help? Yes. Am I dependent on it? No,” Etheridge said. “It’ll help me buy two airplane tickets for the guy from Nebraska, or help some team make the trip that might not be able to. We’re the Hospitality State, and we should show it.”

If you’ve got a few bucks to spare, think about donating. Even if you can’t get to Biloxi to see these guys in action, you can help someone else play.

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Ernest Bowker is a sports writer. He can be reached at 601-619-7120 or via email at ernest.bowker@vicksburgpost.com