Rachels blog

     The Paralympics is an event that is one of the most powerful platforms for athletes with disabilities to showcase their talents. But this raises important questions– should every disabled athlete be allowed to compete in any Paralympic sport? And how do we make sure that there is fairness when disabilities can vary so widely?       When first thinking about it, the idea of allowing any athlete with a disability to compete seems fair. But in actuality, inclusion of any level of disability could mess with the very purpose of the Paralympics: meaningful and inclusive competition between athletes with similar levels of ability. For example, a runner with mild cerebral palsy (which has minimal impact on movement) would have a clear advantage over an athlete with severe spasticity (which causes tight, restricted muscles). And another example, in swimming, someone with a partial amputation may not face the same challenges as a swimmer with all four limb...

       When asked to reflect on the medical model versus the biopsychosocial model of disability, I find it’s clear how much our understanding of disability shapes the way we treat and see individuals with disabilities. The medical model views disability as a problem to be fixed, focusing on impairments and medical interventions. While this approach has its place, in ways when you are trying to improve someone's quality of life in our society,  it often overlooks the broader societal factors that contribute to disability, and how people with disabilities live. On the other hand, the biopsychosocial model recognizes that disability is not just about the person's condition but also about the interaction between their body, their environment, and the attitudes of the people who surround them. The biopsychosocial model shifts the focus from “fixing” the person to addressing the barriers that limit the person from daily tasks in our society.      From ...

       Adaptive technology in sports is a fascinating topic, but it is also a topic that raises many questions about fairness, accessibility, and how we define fair competition. On one hand, it’s incredible from a scientific and medical standpoint to see how technology like running blades or specialized equipment can level the playing field for athletes with disabilities, allowing them to compete at the highest levels. It’s inspiring to watch athletes push the boundaries of what’s possible and challenge traditional ideas of physical limitations. And it also serves to show other disabled athletes just what they can be capable of with the right aids. On the other hand, I can’t help but wonder about the broader implications, especially for athletes from disadvantaged nations who might not have access to the same resources. Because of this, the conversation moves from abled vs disabled, to privileged vs the unprivileged.       The cost of adaptive tec...