Let's also support our disabled athletes

Thai physically-challenged athletes will compete with high hopes of bringing fame to their nation and families. In 2008,Thailand’s Paralympics team was awarded 13 medals and ranked 41st. Let’s support the aim for an even stronger showing this year, accompanied by more extensive media coverage. Will Channel 3 offer similar monetary incentives for gold, silver and bronze medals? The Paralympics Movement’s core values are: courage, determination, inspiration and equality. The theme of the opening ceremony is enlightenment: a celebration of the inspirational spirit of the Paralympics Games that challenges perceptions of human possibility.

Coaches play an indispensable role as character builders during intensive pre-games preparation. People with disabilities aren’t seeking special treatment or favours. All they request is equal consideration, opportunity, access, rights and dignity. How we refer to, label and depict individuals is important to their self-confidence and growth. When we think of Edison or Marconi or Beethoven, we focus on their extraordinary abilities, not their perceived disabilities. Negative stereotypes, pessimistic expectations and defeatist attitudes are the real disabilities. Consciousness-raising and sensitivity awareness stem from learning, unlearning and relearning to think beyond stereotypes, replaced with tolerance and heartfelt respect. Chai-yo!

Charles Frederickson

Bangkok