In the light of this Gabriel's story and the London Paraolympics, have your ideas about disability changed?
Should we look up to such athletes and sports people as special? Or are they, in fact, simply showing the same resilience and strength of character that we all have to at various times in our lives - only their efforts are more noticeable given their particular physical differences?
Should we look up to such athletes and sports people as special? Or are they, in fact, simply showing the same resilience and strength of character that we all have to at various times in our lives - only their efforts are more noticeable given their particular physical differences?
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| Shingo Kunieda of Japan competing for the Gold Medal. |
This eleven-year-old boy called Gabriel Muniz, it’s more than an example, it can be a real hero for people who suffers the same, or another, disability. This boy demonstrates the real meaning of sacrifice and courage, not everyone overcomes a disability as well as him, usually when this happens to other people they think that his life has “finished” and that they can’t be never again a "normal" person, this boy demonstrates the opposite, a proper person it’s who puts their own limits and not a incapacity, with work and sacrifice you can reach whether you want.
ReplyDeleteThe Paralympics it’s the most important sports competition for people who has a discapacity, in my opinion all the participants deserves a gold medal but unfortunately it doesn’t work like this. This athletes can’t be judge as the same way as the normal athletes because this ones have suffered psychological and physical problems that’s why all of them are an example of life.
Elena Balaña
I agree with Elena that this child has overcome very well the disability as not many people in the same situation would have done. However, I would like to add that I found really fascinating the fact that this boy is playing in a 11-a-side football team with children that haven't got any physical problems. This shows great courage as he has gone to a football team and he has fight and put all his effort to become one more of the team despite his problems. He is as good as anyone of the team and that's why his disability is more unnoticed.
ReplyDeleteI also think that all the people should act in the same way as Gabriel because he doesn't want to be given a special attention, he wants to be one more. I understand that people who suffer disabilities should be treated in a different way, i mean, they should compete with people that have also disabilities. But as Gabriel's P.E teacher says 'the disabilities only exists in our heads' and he has shown that he can be treated as anyone else by being as good as his friends.
However I think that people with problems who are practicing any sport no matter which one deserves a greater recognition as it is an example of self-improvement and the effort is much greater than anyone's else.
Gemma Carreira
I totally agree with Gemma and Elena, as Gabriel Muniz is a boy that lives without fear, even though, his life can't be as easy as everyone else’s, because of his disability. Nevertheless, he is fighting for his dream and he is not scared about it, and that's why he has arrived this far, the majority of people that have one of this problems are scared to show what they have inside because they believe that they aren't capable of doing anything, we can also say that even us, we are scared to show more about ourselves, showing what we can do. Gabriel is a very good example of a person that really wants to be someone in life, he wants to be a footbalist, and with the help and the believe of his friends and his trainer they are making possible his dream, by giving their maximum support, and maybe it seems as an insignificant thing, but, for someone like him, it's something that can be really appreciated. In addition to train with Barcelona is something that even people that don't have these difficulties find it extremely difficult, making this a big progress for people like Gabriel, making them have more self-esteem.
ReplyDeleteMy ideas about disabilities haven't changed, because I have always thought that people with this difficulties have a merit for making this, and I also believe that the ones who participate in the Paraolympics are trying to show us some values about life, effort, strength and believe, making their sport a type of way of accepting themselves.
Obviously I believe that this people have more difficulties than us to play any type of sport, but this doesn't mean that they have to be treated different, because they are humans like us, and they should be treated as such, however the physical effort they make is different depending on their disability.
Claudia Ferrer-Calbetó
Certainly I agree with Claudia, Gemma and Elena, anyone with an impairment who can overcome their situation is a real hero. These people are special, after fighting over their disability they have been able to stand out and reach their goals. They are given credit for fulfilling their dreams but not only because of their disadvantage, but because most of the other people never get to live their dreams.
ReplyDeleteWhen people suffer a severe accident and become amputees they might think their life is over, they have a rough time accepting their situation. I can’t even imagine what they have to go through every day, as the world is not designed for wheel chairs or other impediments. In this aspect the society isn’t really concerned about these problems, they actually now they exist, but they don’t really think about it when they open a door or walk down the stairs.
So when I see Gabriel, or any other impaired athlete, giving their 110% each day, falling and getting back up again my heart breaks into pieces. They are not asking for special treatment, they just want to prove the world that life goes on, that there is nothing that can stop you from getting what you want other than yourself.
I believe that we can all be stronger, not just physically but mentally, although most people can’t get to it until something awful happens to them. Then they other fight it and succeed (you don’t have to become an athlete to succeed, just overcome your everyday obstacles), or you don’t do anything about it, which I think it is a cowardly act.
Finally I would like to say that these people are an inspiration for all of us, they actually get to learn how to live life to their fullest and I envy that from them.
Júlia Grifols