An Open Mind

Like many people I have become totally addicted to Paralympics and Channel 4's coverage of the games has been superb.  I would have liked to have seen more equestrian events and less swimming but that is just my opinion.  Sadly this time next week it will be all over and life will return back to normal.  During the games the talk has been about people's changing attitudes to disability and that the legacy will continue once the games has ended.
I for one would love this change to have an everlasting effect but my own experiences tell me different.  I have never been physically attacked or had verbal abuse thrown at me but I have had first hand experience of being totally ignored when I am using my wheelchair as people think you have no brain and on many occasions I have had people talk to me in a slow distinct voice when I say that I have CP.  So for now I will keep an open mind on the topic of changing attitudes.
I think some people are looking at our disabled athletes through rose tinted glasses and I know this bothers some disabled communities and individuals who believe that the Paralympians have made peoples perceptions of disability all wrong.  I don't think that someone watching an armless swimmer understands the support network they must have outside the pool and with the current welfare reform of disability benefits taking place in our country it has made many disabled people a bit uncomfortable.  I would be lying if I said that these thoughts had not crossed my mind.  I did and still do have a problem with Atos being. a major sponsor of the Paralympics knowing that they are the company that have been appointed by our government to assess disabled and sick people for benefit.  My fear is that they may use the information gathered during the games to make life a lot harder for disabled people.
I think what everyone has to remember is that these disabled athlete's are at the peak of fitness and have coaches, physiotherapists and a large support network unlike most disabled people who struggle everyday of their lives and I think we need to remember this.
All in all I think the Paralympics has been a fantastic stage for the world,s disabled community but it is down to us all to carry the legacy forward.  More television and media coverage is a must for future disabled meets and not just the odd hour here and there and I think that Channel 4 should continue what they have started.