The “Para” in “Paralympics”

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How the Paralympics Came To Be

The Paralympics started out as a new rehabilitation approach for patients with spinal injuries created by Ludwig Guttmann. The use of sports aided in physical and mental activity for paralyzed or amputee patients. At Stoke Mandeville Hospital, there was an archery competition between disabled veterans. Soon, more countries began participating in the games at Stoke, and more sports were adapted to be accessible to people with a variety of disabilities. Now, the Paralympics is now the third largest sporting event in the world. Disability sports turned from a rehabilitation method for injured veterans to competitive sports for all people with different disabilities.


What Does “Para” Mean?

Prior to this class, I did not know what the “para” in “Paralympics” meant. During the first week of class, I became curious about it, so I looked it up. I first found that it was a mash of the two words “paraplegic” and “Olympics.” I thought it made sense since many of the first patients Ludwig treated were either paralyzed in their legs or had one or both legs amputated.


However, the more I researched, I found that it actually comes from “parallel.” Ludwig Guttmann purposefully planned for the Stoke Mandeville Games to be held at the same time as the Olympics. Guttmann's planning was intentional, as he wanted to draw as much positive attention as he could to his patients. It was important for the world to look at disabilities differently than they had in the past.


Parallel Games

Like the ABC news article said, the Stoke games were played “in parallel” with the Olympics. I think that Guttmann’s decision to have the games at the same time as the Olympics was powerful. People with disabilities were looked at as hopeless. Those who had amputated limbs or were paralyzed had a smaller life expectancy. Prior to Guttmann’s new rehabilitation approach, doctors and nurses tried to make those with disabilities as comfortable as they possibly could until they passed. Guttmann knew that life could become accessible so people with disabilities could live longer lives while still doing the things they loved. Having the Stoke games at the same time as the Olympics was a big deal as Guttmann was trying to show that those with disabilities are capable of being athletes. His games garnered attention from all over the world, which allowed the concept to spread to other countries. 


The Paralympics today have an agreement with the Olympics which requires the host city of the Olympics to also host the Paralympics. Now, the Paralympics always take place the same year and in the same place as the Olympics. This was not the way it always was, but having the agreement is a big deal for the Paralympics. The work of Ludwig Guttmann and athletes with disabilities all around the world allowed for the Paralympics to become what it is today. It showed that disabilities do not stop someone from becoming a successful athlete and that there is no place for discrimination in sports.

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