Blog #10: A Reflection of What I Learned
Prior vs. Current Knowledge:
As a student majoring in Computer Information Systems, most of my classes often revolve around the inner workings of business technology, mathematics, and, of course, computers! As I still have remaining writing requirements to fulfill, I wanted to take this as an opportunity to dive into a subject I have never learned about before. In my case, it was disabilities and sports! I personally enjoy gaining a broader understanding of topics that I’m very unfamiliar with, which helps me grow as a person. Reflecting back on the first day of class, my background knowledge of disability and sports was limited. I only had a surface-level understanding of the Paralympics through online media and TV, but didn’t know of the vibrant world of disabilities and sports as a whole.
Comparing myself from then to now, I can confidently say that I have learned a tremendous amount of information, allowing me to confidently speak about the subject with my peers! I particularly enjoyed learning about the deep history of the Paralympic Games and how an innovative person, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann, started it all.
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| Image by Paralympics Australia, Paralympic.org |
Learning the Value of Disabled Sports:
This class has helped me understand the true value of sports linked to those with disabilities because sports can add an entirely new chapter to a disabled athlete's life. Dr. Ludwig Guttmann started the Paralympics because he believed that one’s life isn’t over simply because they have a disability. With sports, disabled athletes gain more control over their lives, allowing them to demonstrate their true powers of adapting and thriving. I’ve learned that sports not only help build physical strength, but also tremendously help with building mental fortitude and well-being.
The Impact on Society:
I’ve learned that society still has to work towards better inclusivity towards disability as a whole. However, I also recognize that society has made significant improvements over the past 100 years towards individuals with disabilities. Society has become more open and accepting of disabled sports while also realizing that disabled athletes aren’t just recognized for their inspiration. Society is currently at a point where more people recognize disabled athletes for their perfected strengths and talents rather than just as inspirational people.
How I will Promote Disabled Sports:
I enjoyed learning about the lesser-known disabled sports and how disabled athletes with different classifications would thrive in these sports. One way I would promote disabled sports with others is by sharing my enthusiasm about the Paralympics. I’ve grown to recognize how the Paralympics are truly more exciting and compelling than the Olympics. I believe that the emphasis on fair play and the long journey Para-athletes went through makes the games much more exciting to watch. By sharing the inner workings of these sports and the sheer strength disabled athletes demonstrate, I believe others will be equally as enthusiastic. Australia sets a great example of effective promotion and excitement that disabled sports can truly bring to a massive audience.
Final Thoughts:
As a personal note, I found it fascinating to learn about Para Equestrian while researching more about the different Paralympic sports throughout this semester! Broadening my understanding of the versatility of disabled sports as a whole has led to a greater appreciation of the sports and talented athletes. I look forward to watching the next Paralympics live next year and spreading the word to my friends and family!
