The Right Decision

I'm surprised to hear that disabled access ramps, though in use heavily during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, are not mandatory at all stations. Surely in 2012, we shouldn't even be questioning whether it is possible for someone using a wheelchair to board or alight from a train.

I accept the fact that platform heights vary across the network but this should in no way prohibit anyone from travelling by train regardless of their physical ability. I know of situations where train travel is not possible as there is no way of getting from one platform to another. At many stations, lifts a are not installed and where they are, they are for goods use only or cannot be operated due to a lack of trained staff. Added to this, most trains on the high speed trunk routes are not equipped to accept wheelchairs and in the few cases where it is possible, the user is confined to the vestibule area of the coach for the duration of their journey. Surely this has to be wrong. It is time for the right decisions to be made. We have the know how and we have the technology. There should be no more excuses.

More Able...

There has been some talk in the past few days as to whether we now view disabled people differently as a result of the Paralympic Games and the extensive media coverage. Personally, I would say that this Paralympic Games has done more for disabled awareness than ever before. It would be wrong to suggest that there has been an increase in sympathy - and most disabled people would not wish for this - but there has been an enormous increase in understanding and a realisation that disability should not confine people to their homes. The people we have seen competing in the last couple of weeks have shown us all that disability should not be a barrier and that much can be achieved with determination and hard work.

I also think that young children are more aware, than any other generation before them, of how disability can affect people but more importantly how such disability can be overcome to achieve great things. An example is how my son has sat glued to much of the Paralympics TV coverage and questioned the things he has seen, taking huge interest in those competing and their physical differences. As a result, I am confident he has learnt more in the last two weeks than he would in all his years at school. The experience of the last two weeks has been to educate, raise awareness and instill a profound respect for all those taking part. We often refer to the athletes of the Paralympic Games as being 'disabled', but are they? Would you call a double amputee who wins a 1400 meter race disabled? I wouldn't - they are more able than anyone...

A Fully Inclusive Games... We're Nearly There

So that's it. Like many, I watched the closing ceremony last night and although it wasn't on the same scale as the opening ceremony, it was a spectacle to remember.
Still to come is the Paralympics which begin on the 29th in a couple of weeks time. The Olympic Games, besides being a showcase of athletic excellence, will be remembered for its diversity and inclusion - the first Olympic Games to include women from all countries of the world.
We still have some way to go, sadly. We still relegate disabled athletes to their own event, far removed from the main games. In my view, the most worthy are left to last, and this has to be wrong. Why can they not perform alongside the able-bodied and their achievements be recognised and awarded on the world stage?
The fact the the word 'paralympic' is derived from the Greek preposition 'para' meaning parallel or alongside, makes it all the more odd that the event isn't run in tandem with the main Olympic Games.

Sir Ludwig Guttmann organised the first recognised event for disabled athletes known as the 'Wheelchair Games' in 1948. Dr. Guttman's aim was to create an elite sports competition for people with disabilities that would be equivalent to the Olympic Games.

I will certainly be watching the Paralympic Games and I hope a similar level of attention is afforded the event as we have witnessed over the last seventeen days. For me the achievements of a disabled athlete are far greater given their handicap, and this deserves special merit. 

I just hope it isn't too long before all athletes, regardless of ability, are able to compete together. Now that really would be great...