Disability and Sports Blog #1

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...

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 ...

 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...

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 ...