Anyone been watching the Paralympics?

jensrsa · 09-17-2008, 05:07 AM

As I watch the Paralympics in Beijing I realise that the human spirit is phenominal.

During the Paralympics hundreds of records were broken, both paralympics and world records, and not by small margins either. However, it wasn't only when records were broken that performances were astounding. In driving rain the world record was equalled in the Women's 100m for the visually impaired. In the pool, athletes with no arms won silver and bronze medals in the back stroke and the butterfly. In the 400m for men with one leg amputated the winner was a man with no legs.

These "impaired" athletes put in performances that would make more able bodied athletes proud.

How is this possible? Why is it that the performances at the Beijing Paralympics were so much better than previous paralympics?

Could it be that there has been a shift in the perception of these athletes; that they see themselves as athletes and not merely as paraplegic or impaired athletes?

Only two paralypmic atheletes participated in the recent Olympic Games. I won't be surprised if more of these paralympic atheletes particpate in the next Olympic Games, or at last try to qualify.

What can we learn from these athletes?

1. Your performance is influenced by your self image. If you see yourself as unworthy, undeserving or impeded you will be. But if you see yourself as qualified you can be.
2. Your performance need not be limited by your perceptions. Many of us underperform because of some perceived or real disability or impediment. By finding a way to work around this, by refusing to let this hold you back you can outperform your previous achievements.
3. Your performance need not be limited by others. Often we limited ourselves to perform to the level that others expect of us. By casting off these artificial limits we can perform at levels above those previously thought possible.
4. Your performance isn't limited by past performances. By setting yourself new goals and working to achieve these goals you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
5. It is not about winning but about achieving your personal best. So often we don't try because we can't be the best. By setting these goals and working to achieve them, even if you don't make it, you will achieve more than ever before.

Possibly the greatest lesson from the Paralympics is that YOU CAN!

nepeterson · 07-15-2010, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jensrsa

Your performance is influenced by your self image. If you see yourself as unworthy, undeserving or impeded you will be. But if you see yourself as qualified you can be.

From personal experience, I can attest to the truthfulness of this statement.

ryanbiddulph · 07-18-2010, 10:58 AM

Awesome breakdown jensra.

The Paralympics inspire me because these individuals have minds which are as powerful as anybody on earth. I couldn't imagine some of the obstacles they face, yet they build up a strong enough self-image to achieve phenomenal things.

Ryan Biddulph

09-17-2008, 05:07 AM	#1
jensrsa African Warrior Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Africa Posts: 862 Blog Entries: 17 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts Contact Info	Anyone been watching the Paralympics? As I watch the Paralympics in Beijing I realise that the human spirit is phenominal. During the Paralympics hundreds of records were broken, both paralympics and world records, and not by small margins either. However, it wasn't only when records were broken that performances were astounding. In driving rain the world record was equalled in the Women's 100m for the visually impaired. In the pool, athletes with no arms won silver and bronze medals in the back stroke and the butterfly. In the 400m for men with one leg amputated the winner was a man with no legs. These "impaired" athletes put in performances that would make more able bodied athletes proud. How is this possible? Why is it that the performances at the Beijing Paralympics were so much better than previous paralympics? Could it be that there has been a shift in the perception of these athletes; that they see themselves as athletes and not merely as paraplegic or impaired athletes? Only two paralypmic atheletes participated in the recent Olympic Games. I won't be surprised if more of these paralympic atheletes particpate in the next Olympic Games, or at last try to qualify. What can we learn from these athletes? 1. Your performance is influenced by your self image. If you see yourself as unworthy, undeserving or impeded you will be. But if you see yourself as qualified you can be. 2. Your performance need not be limited by your perceptions. Many of us underperform because of some perceived or real disability or impediment. By finding a way to work around this, by refusing to let this hold you back you can outperform your previous achievements. 3. Your performance need not be limited by others. Often we limited ourselves to perform to the level that others expect of us. By casting off these artificial limits we can perform at levels above those previously thought possible. 4. Your performance isn't limited by past performances. By setting yourself new goals and working to achieve these goals you can achieve anything you set your mind to. 5. It is not about winning but about achieving your personal best. So often we don't try because we can't be the best. By setting these goals and working to achieve them, even if you don't make it, you will achieve more than ever before. Possibly the greatest lesson from the Paralympics is that YOU CAN!
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07-18-2010, 10:58 AM	#3
ryanbiddulph Ryan Biddulph Join Date: May 2010 Location: Universe Posts: 1,282 Thanks: 200 Thanked 285 Times in 207 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Anyone been watching the Paralympics? Awesome breakdown jensra. The Paralympics inspire me because these individuals have minds which are as powerful as anybody on earth. I couldn't imagine some of the obstacles they face, yet they build up a strong enough self-image to achieve phenomenal things. Ryan Biddulph
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