Disability does not define a person’s intelligence or their cognitive abilities. In fact, it doesn’t define a person at all. Disability is a diagnosis, not a characteristic. It is essential to understand that individuals living with disabilities have diverse strengths and talents. Seeing the ability in disability makes all the difference in the world. In this section, we will celebrate the strengths, talents, and accomplishments of the disAbility community.
Since the end of July, the international community has been glued to their TVs watching the Olympic Games. There have been some exciting feats and champions have overcome obstacles and rose to the ocassion to be called Olympians. Several of those are Tennessee Olympians .
But what excites us most, especially as we champion for the disability community, is the upcoming Paralympic Games! “Para Athletes” from all over the world will gather to compete at these games. Para athlete is a term used for athlethes that have bodily differences and different types of disabilities. A Paralympian is an athlete who competes in the Paralympic games. The Paralympic Games will be hosted in Paris, France, Wednesday, August 28, 2024 through Sunday, September 8, 2024 and is streamed on several television platforms. Will you be watching? We will!
Check out one of Tennessee’s very own para athletes, Blake Leeper, from Kingsport Tennessee, who is a qualified Team USA competitor in the Paralympic Games in Paris. Click on his image below to find out more about him.
Also see what two East Tennessee athletes with disabilities, say about what it’s like to compete on a world-class level.
Image courtesy of Blake Leeper