The Paralympics and You!

I caught an interview on NPR the other day with the director of an advertisement for the Paralympics that is making the rounds online.  His name is Tom Tagholm, he works for the UK's Channel 4 TV station and he is an advertising genius.  I am so hopeful that the coverage of this year's Paralympic Games brings more attention and national pride over the accomplishments of these athletes.  

As Rehabilitation professionals I think we should band together and spread the word about this event; maybe when others get a glimpse of the hard working, ambitious, competitive qualities of the Paralympians they will stop feeling uncomfortable about the athlete's disabilities and start celebrating with them!

Unfortunately for those of us living in the US, the Paralympics won't be shown on any network channels.  NBC is sadly only allowing video content to be shown on the U.S. Paralympics YouTube channel and will air five and a half hours of pre-recorded coverage several days after the events have taken place.  I am so disappointed that I will have to scrounge around online to catch glimpses of these amazing events, so please let's change the US networks minds!  I signed a petition to help change some minds and you can too if you click over here:  10000-to-cover-the-usa-paralympics

Click here to watch Channel 4's Trailer for "Meet the Superhumans"

The Olympics and Disability

During the Olympics I happened to catch one of Oscar Pistorius' races on replay.   I was watching the heavily produced NBC prime-time coverage with family and friends and it brought up a healthy debate.  For those under a rock, four years ago the decision that was made to allow an athlete, South African Spriter Oscar Pistorius, who runs on metal blades, to compete in the Olympics (as well as in the Paralympics).

I could be a little biased in my opinion on this issue because I spend most of my working days as an Occupational Therapist.  My goal as an OT is to help people be more functional in their everyday lives, and what is more functional that being an Olympic athlete!

I happened upon this article from the Huffington Post and I think it encourages all of us in the Rehabilitation field to work harder to help our patients work and live at their maximum potential.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-stanhope/oscar-pistorius_b_1758065.html