Last night I watched the London Paralympics opening
ceremony, and I felt cheated. I should’ve been able to feel good about these
games, impressed by the positive images portrayed, uplifted by this amazing
demonstration of what the human race is capable of, despite all obstacles.
Instead, all I saw was irony. These games are sponsored by
ATOS, the French company that’s been paid a fortune by the British government
to kick disabled people off benefits. The company responsible for finding
terminally ill people ‘fit for work’. I can only hope that the Paralympians are
in full-time work, or have private means – anything but so-called benefits.
Because if you’re capable of competing in a sports tournament, you must be able to work.
There has been much talk about the effect these games might
have on public perception of disabled people. For some reason I’m unable to
fathom, some people seem to think that they will have a positive impact on
people’s attitudes towards disability. I’m not sure how that’s going to happen.
The abuse of disabled people tends to be based on the idea that they are
scroungers, lead-swingers. In what way will the victims of such abuse be helped
by the image of other disabled people achieving amazing feats that most
able-bodied people can’t manage?
There’s also been talk – on the internet, at least – of protests
by disabled people against the ATOS involvement in these games. Anyone seen any
mention of this on any news programme? No, thought not.
I am certainly not against the games; I have nothing but
respect and admiration for the athletes taking part, but the ATOS sponsorship
leaves a bitter taste that isn’t going to go away in a hurry.
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