We recently celebrated our amazing athletes from around the world in Paris this Summer. The inspiration continues with the Paralympics from Wednesday 28th August to Sunday 8th September. What makes the Paralympics extra special is witnessing the amazing abilities of our para-athletes, many who became disabled later in life. Initially a sport or physical activity was used for rehabilitating or as therapy. However, the competitive nature kicked in leading to winning medals throughout the world and at the Paralympics.
At Paul’s Place, we love sharing our skills and getting active, so everyone can benefit from a physical activity or competing in a sport. The physical activities range from swimming, archery to wheelchair rugby. It makes us healthy, happy and we feel more connected as a team while competing.
Stefan Clatworthy, has quadriplegia cerebral palsy. It affects both arms and often the torso and face. Stefan needs a wheelchair and a tablet to communicate. However, it hasn’t stopped Stefan pursuing his favourite Winter activity, skiing, and skiing as fast as possible. Stefan’s enjoys making films, where he demonstrates an instructor guiding his adapted chair on skis over the slopes. His Slopes of Inspiration film featured on the BBC’s Gold Arts Award.
Claire Takle, overcame her Spinocerebellar Ataxia to compete in accessible horse riding. The condition is inherited, which affects the coordination and physical movement from the brain. Claire progressed in the sport and competed in dressage competitions where she sometimes came first!
David Morgan, who also has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, competed in Boccia competitions nationally and internationally. On Sunday 14th July, we celebrated our super league finals win, which took place at Nottingham University. Boccia will feature in the Paralympics. So, we were thrilled when Bethany Fox at Jacobs (a sustainability consultancy) invited us to teach Boccia during its Sports Day for staff.
In 2021, we worked with Yate Outdoor Sports Complex. It supported Andy Gough, aged 53, who’s registered blind with high blood pressure and cholesterol to join assisted guided running. Very timely, when we all needed to get our strength and stamina back after the Covid-19 lockdowns.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll celebrate our sporting heroes and how we use sport to change lives at Paul’s Place.
