The recently completed Paris 2024 Paralympics was an amazing showcase for those living with a disability and how they, despite their disability, are still able to compete in an ever-competitive sporting environment globally. Wearing my wheelchair user hat in particular, I found the Paris Paralympics principally beneficial for wheelchair users for several reasons:

1. Accessibility and Inclusion: Paris, as a city, focused heavily on making the city and venues more accessible for people with disabilities. Public transport, stadiums, and accommodations were upgraded to meet international accessibility standards, creating a better experience for wheelchair users both as athletes and spectators.
2. Visibility and Representation: The Paralympics showcased top-level athletes using wheelchairs, helping to promote positive representation and break down stereotypes. The media coverage provided wheelchair athletes with a global platform, encouraging broader conversations about inclusion and mobility.
3. Legacy of Urban Planning: Paris committed to leaving a legacy of improved infrastructure, which will benefit future residents and visitors who use wheelchairs. This includes wider pathways, improved public transport options, and accessibility in public spaces that will remain long after the Games.
4. Inspiration and Empowerment: The success of wheelchair athletes on such a grand stage has the potential to inspire others to pursue sports, helping foster confidence and creating role models within the disabled community.

The focus on accessibility, innovation, and representation at the Paris 2024 Paralympics contributed to a more inclusive and empowering experience for wheelchair users, be they athletes competing, spectators at the games or like me, enjoying the enduring message Paris 2024 broadcasted, from afar.

On a more personal note, I also took notice of the performances of Marcel Hug from Switzerland. I had the privilege of meeting Marcel in 2011 at the IPC World Athletics Championship in Christchurch, here in New Zealand. I have taken a great interest in his career since then, in particular, his dominant performances in the marathon. It was extremely gratifying to watch him win a back-to-back Marathon Gold Medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

I also took pride, as an Invacare family member, of the tremendous performance of fellow community writer, Susan Seipel, who in an impressive display, took Bronze in the Women’s Va’a 200m VL2, earning her third Paralympic medal.

About the Author:

Ian Walker is a C6 Quadriplegic Incomplete. Ian lives in Christchurch, New Zealand and has survived 2 separate spinal cord injury-related accidents over the past 14 years. He is a Motivational Speaker who talks about - how to face adversity, cycle road safety, living with a disability, and being a 1 percenter . . .
Ian also enjoys life coaching which he utilises through his business BMotiv8d, to assist those with a disability, (or without), who lack motivation, direction and/or confidence, those who feel disorganised or unfulfilled, and/or those who need encouragement or need to set priorities, on how to realise their true potential.