So, the
Paras are ending tonight with as much fanfare as they came in with…if not
more. It’s been 9 days of late nights,
yeah, but there’ve been some awesome competition with standouts like Oksana
Masters winning her first golds in 1.5 and 5km sitting sprint while competing
hurt as well as being cute as a button and Declan Farmer, who LITERALLY won the
USA Sled Hockey team’s gold. Everybody
brought their A-game and then some.
Another
thing I learned these Games were how they group the athletes based on their
level of cripness to make the playing field the fairest they could possibly
make it. I thought it was truly
fascinating how they made all those logistics fall into place. Hats off to new IPC President Andrew Parsons.
But, most
importantly, I’m taking away from these Games the stories. From the athletes born and bred to the
athletes that suffered accidents to the cancer survivor to the vets that served
and sacrificed…and, overcame to be literal stars. I’m truly speechless at the magnitude of
their lives and accomplishments.
As a crip, I
hate lip service. There is none
here. Their stories inspire me. I have no words to adequately express what I’ve
seen and heard. Now, these Ceremonies…just
WOW! I’m watching a blind pianist
playing the most anthemic piece I’ve heard in a long time accompanied by the
most beautiful voice I’ve heard coming from a man. I’m in tears.
I need a tissue. I’m done.
Be good to
each other.
-J-
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