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Blog #8 - Disabilities and Society

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Sofia Torrie Dr. Sowers GSS-2117-001 Disability and Sports 30 March 2026 The difference between the medical model of disability and the biophysical model of disability is that the medical model is where the disability is seen as something that needs fixing or diagnosing, where the biophysical model is how people and their disabilities are accepted and included in society. The medical model focuses more on the diagnosis side, meaning this is where people focus more on fixing the disability. This may include doctors and medical work. For example, someone who is disabled may need a walker, and that will show their disability through walking. The biophysical model has a better understanding of people with disabilities because it is recognizing what people with disabilities may need within society such as accessibility and accommodations so they can be included and do things that any other individual is able to do. Breaking Barriers: Promoting Awareness, Inclusion and Acceptance for Individ...
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Blog #7 - Inclusivity in Sports

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Sofia Torrie Dr. Sowers GSS-2117-001 Disability and Sports 23 March 2026      In my opinion, no, I do not think that all athletes with any type of disability should be allowed to be classified for every sport. I say this because I believe that due to different disabilities among the athletes, some may be at more of a disadvantage than others. I do believe that inclusivity is very important when it comes to sports and individuals with disabilities, but unfortunately, there are some individuals who have disabilities but may be able to perform better than others which would create an unfair advantage for anyone if they were able to be classified for every sport.  If anyone with a disability were allowed to be classified for every sport, that creates a wide range of people who would be able to participate, and the competition would be disordered. I believe that honoring the fairness in these competitions is more important because it gives all of the athletes an opportuni...
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Blog #6 - Ban of Russia and Belarus from Paralympic Games

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Sofia Torrie Dr. Sowers GSS-2117-001 Disability and Sports 9 March 2026        When it comes to the argument of whether or not I think the ban of Russia and Belarus from the last few Paralympic Games is fair or not, I would say that I can see why they were banned, but do I think it is completely fair for the athletes? No. The ban of Russia and Belarus is a stance against the war, with Belarus showing Russia support of what they are doing to Ukraine. The Paralympics taking a stance against them and showing that they will not support those actions is a big step, and it is a strong step. The Paralympics is showing that they do not support the war, when a lot of athletes and countries may boycott the Paralympics if they were allowed to participate. I think that what they are doing sends a strong message and it shows that they are in support of what is right and fair.      On the other hand, I understand why the Paralympics is doing what they are doing, but...
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Blog #5 - Media

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Sofia Torrie Dr. Sowers GSS-2117-001 Disability and Sports 27 February 2026      I think that to increase the media coverage of the Paralympics and other disabled sports is to change the narrative of what they are doing and why. Many media outlets paint disabled athletes out to be heroes, supercrips, and that is the narrative that people will see and side with. To increase the media coverage of the Paralympics and other disabled sports, media outlets should showcase that these athletes do the same amount of work, and they’re doing it the same as the able-bodied athletes, because they want to and they love what they do. Their disabilities do not put a stop to them and what they do, and they want to prove themselves that they can do exactly what they plan on doing, competing in the highest level of athleticism. Paralympics and other disabled sports should also receive the same amount of promotion as the Olympic Games do, as well as other able-bodied sports. When it comes to...
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Blog #4 - Fair Sport

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Sofia Torrie Dr. Sowers  16 February 2026 Adaptive technology has been used in sports and is very important for athletes who are disabled because it allows for them to be able to compete in competitions. I do think that adaptive technology should be allowed in sports because without the adaptive technology, many athletes would not be able to participate. Adaptive technology is a wide range of equipment that gives disabled athletes the chance to use their full potential. Some examples of adaptive technology are wheelchairs, prosthetics, and equipment that is altered to accommodate the athlete’s disability. Adaptive Equipment, Accessibility Needs Part of the Package for Athletes With a Disability In this article, a Paralympic athlete, Jessica Tuomela, speaks on her experience with adaptive technology and how it impacts the athletes that require such equipment to be able to perform to their best ability.  Although adaptive technology should be allowed in sports, there is also ...
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Blog #3 - Paralympic and Olympic Games

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 Sofia Torrie Disability and Sports Dr. Sowers When it comes to comparing the Paralympic and Olympic Games, there can be many people who agree or disagree with Dr. Guttman. Personally, I am more on the agreeing side to Dr. Guttman, but I can also see where people would disagree. I agree with Dr. Guttman because the effort that the Paralympians give to the Paralympics is equal to the athletes in the Olympics. I believe that they are putting the same amount of effort into the games, and the Paralympics is to celebrate people who are doing what they love. The Paralympics gives us a deeper understanding of people who are willing to give their time and effort into something that may not be recognized as much as the Olympic Games and that is why I believe that the Paralympic Games are a better representation of the Olympic Ideal.  The Olympics is something that people always look forward to watching to see “the best of the best” and it is exciting to see, but there is also no incl...
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Blog #2 Paralympics

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Sofia Torrie Disability and Sports Dr. Sowers Prior to this week's topic, I never thought too far into the meaning of "para" in the word "Paralympics." To my understanding, "para" stems from the word parallel, which means equal to or beside. Before learning more about the Paralympics, I didn't know much about it. I know it is the same concept of the Olympics, but it has sporting events for those with disabilities. I knew it was the same as the Olympics but it had accommodations for disabled athletes. I also knew that "para" did not mean paraplegic because not all of the athletes were paraplegic. I think the importance of learning the difference between these events is important because not a lot of people know what the meaning behind Paralympics is.  This week's topic has taught me that "para" in "Paralympics" means next to, which makes their events parallel to the Olympics. The point of the Paralympics is to hold ...
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