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Of course they know they are disabled

From Mrs Ann Memmott
Sir, — It was with considerable dismay that I read “Face up to the truth about your body” by David Reason (Comment, 12 September). While Mr Reason makes a number of valid points about the need for inclusion where­ver possible, one must perhaps take issue with some of his assertions.

His conclusion that the Para­lympics may in some way threaten the salvation not only of the participants, but of us all, is surely a little extreme. I have the honour of counting one of the gold medallists among my acquaint­ances, and he participates because he thoroughly enjoys the sport, enjoys competing against like-bodied in­dividuals, and is delighted to repre­sent his country. He is both open and honest about his disability.

I think it a little unfair to suggest that the competitors’ endeavours are a potential threat in matters spiritual. While it is true that many of us with a disability stand no chance of Paralympic success, surely it is no different from many of the rest of the population who would stand no chance in the main Olympics?

As someone with a disability (Asperger syndrome), as well as arthritis, I can only applaud the efforts of those who have chosen to represent us so well in the international arena as our sportsmen and women. Long may they continue to do so.
ANN MEMMOTT
Autism adviser to Oxford diocese
Diocesan Church House
North Hinksey
Oxford OX2 0NB

From the Revd Shuna Body
Sir, — Having coached and managed Paralympic sport for 13 years, I was dismayed by the comments of David Reason about paralympians not facing up to their disabilities.

It was obvious that his comments were made purely as a television spectator. After all, it is not in a paralympic final that athletes face up to their disability. In many instances, it is at the stage of choosing a sport, where they first have to face the fact that they are disabled. In many sports, finding coaches and venues that are accessible reinforces this fact.

The Paralympics began at Stoke Mandeville for paralysed people. The addition of learning difficulties was short-lived for many reasons, which does not in any way prevent people with learning difficulties taking part in sport. I was at the last Games where they had learning difficulties included, and the discrepancy between what different nations classed as learning difficulties was profound, and resulted in an uneven playing field. International sport at any level first needs to be fair.

I agree with Mr Reason about some of the vocabulary used by commentators, not always cham­pion­ing sport, but the examples he uses such as “will to win” could be addressed to any sport, Olympic or Paralympic.

I have travelled worldwide to competitions and have seen the part disabled sport has played in trans­forming the attitudes of a nation towards disability. At one time, the only time we saw disabled people in Poland was on the streets begging. In recent years they have succeeded in running some very successful World Cups and European Cham­pion­ships. Let’s hope China will follow suit.

The focus for all paralympians is on their sport. Perhaps if more spectators had the same focus, they would experience the true spirit of the Games.
SHUNA BODY
Chairman, British Disabled Fencing Association
Hope Farm
Snargate, Romney Marsh
Kent TN29 9EQ


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