Rising Phoenix and the influential role of elite Paralympians
With the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics likely to happen this August and September, we can look forward to the ‘much missed’ exhibition of elite human endeavour.
The rise and rise of the Paralympics to the 3rd biggest sporting event globally, has certainly showcased the extraordinary level that elite athletes with a disability, can achieve.
But will this demonstration have a genuine impact on how disability is viewed in daily life?
When Dr Gutmann first opened the special injuries centre at Stoke Mandeville hospital, which instituted, first the rehabilitation programmes, then recreational sport and finally competitive sporting games, little did he realise that his belief in human potential, would evolve into the global event the Paralympics Games is today. His unwavering determination and support for those men and women, to prove what they were capable of, is genuinely inspirational but perhaps his real legacy was helping others see the value of human life.
Last year ‘Rising Phoenix’ premiered on Netflix to outstanding reviews. Not only was it beautifully filmed, entrancing the viewer from the outset, but the unflinching humanity, the unapologetic reality of the athletes’ stories, made it compulsive viewing.
According to Dame Tannie Grey-Thompson, the accessibility of ‘Rising Phoeix’ through Netflix, will have a far greater influence on changing perceptions of disability than the Paralympics themselves. The fact that the viewers can connect with, learn and understand the personal histories of these elite athletes, makes it a powerful tool in diminishing the negative bias against disability.
Jonnie Peacock, GB’s double Gold winning 100m sprinter, says in ‘Rising Phoenix’ that he wants to be known as a sprinter, an elite athlete not someone with a disability.
It is 25 years since the Disability Discrimination Act but with only 52% of disabled people in work compared to 76% of the population as a whole, there is clearly work to be done.
Richard Kramer, Chief Executive for ‘Sense’ explains that ‘Disability policy has been focused on what benefits or services disabled people do or don’t have access to, rather than the lives they want and have a right to lead.’
Employers need to be open to those with disabilities, to include and encourage the recruitment and development of a diverse workfoce, that not only represents the whole community but also capitalises on all the talent that community has to offer.
Ultimately, seeing someone for who they are and what they can achieve, is the key to breaking down the barriers for disabled people. Expertly crafted films like ‘Rising Phoenix’, drive that message into the hearts and minds of the viewers.
….and just so you know… the Para from Paralympics, means ‘parallel’.
Paralympics, 24th August - 5th September