A Paralympic athlete who grew up in Council Bluffs will soon perform on the world stage in London. He got his start at a local sports camp for the disabled.

Joshua Turek, professional wheelchair basketball player and member of the U.S. Paralympic team, is an alumnus of the Junior Wheelchair Sports and Recreation Camp being held this week at Iowa School for the Deaf.

The free camp, sponsored by the Alegent Health Immanuel Rehabilitation Center and Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation and approved by the Eastern Nebraska Wheelchair Athletic Association, gives students in kindergarten through 12th grade an opportunity to play team sports and make new friends.

This year's camp attracted 46 participants from Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri, said Jena Munson, director.