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I feel very fortunate that sports have always been a part of my life.As an independent and determined teen, I tried to never let my disability stand in the way of the pursuit of my dreams. Sport gave me the chance to build my physical and emotional strength, including my belief in myself, and to learn incredibly valuable skills: teamwork, discipline, and leadership.
The support I received from my parents and teacher was tremendous, and it allowed me to realise my Paralympic dreams, winning 16 medals over five Paralympic dreams. I feel extremely proud to be referred to as a role model for other people with disabilities and so pleased that my achievements might help others to overcome challenges.
Sports can help to break down barriers, promote a positive attitude, and ultimately give children with disabilities a chance to achieve their full potential. However, many millions of children living in poverty around the world are missing out on a fundamental right: the right to play. If they have a disability, they have even fewer opportunities. That is why I became involved with International Inspiration, the London 2012 Summer Olympics international legacy programme for children and young people, and travelled to Jordan to see firsthand the impact of these efforts on the lives of children in Jordan.
Although sports are very popular in Jordan, Jordanian schools have limited sports facilities and do not yet offer inclusive physical education lessons.
There are few parks and playgrounds in the cities and even fewer in rural areas. This is partly due to the myriad of challenges linked to local cultural norms. Girls, displaced children living in Palestinian refugee camps, children with disabilities, and other marginalised children are generally discouraged from participating in sports and play activities. And because many people still don’t realise the importance of physical activity in the development of young people, little emphasis has been put on making sports a part of the school curriculum.
In one of the sessions, I met a boy called Mouayyed Muhammad Badran, who later took me to his home. Mouayyed used a wheelchair, and he told me about the sports sessions and physical education activities that he had been able to take part in alongside his friends. He was so enthusiastic, and I was impressed that something so simple was making such a difference to Mouayyed’s life.
On the second day of my visit, I had the chance to speak to some Jordanian paralympians, and we shared stories about how sport had changed our lives. They reinforced what I have long believed: that people attempt and achieve amazing feats. Simple things, such as including children with disabilities in physical education lessons or giving young people the training and skills to obtain employment, are really transforming lives in this country and elsewhere.
A number of Turkish schools hold or are planning Paralympic School Days, during which children without disabilities are given the opportunity to move around in wheelchairs and play sports blindfolded, developing empathy and engaging in recreation alongside peers with disabilities.In Indonesia, Special Olympics events address the native perception of intellectual disability. This vital work challenges stereotypes and changes attitudes, focusing on what children with disabilities can achieve rather than what they can’t. Despite these steps, children with disabilities remain among the most disadvantaged in the world. Every Olympic year presents an opportunity to further the inclusion of children with disabilities. The baton now passes to Sweden as the next Olympic host to continue the fight to include children of all abilities in the practise of sport.
Penny Hands
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fantastic
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