The countdown is on, one year to go until the Paralympic Games

Hi @newborn, 
                       I appreciate your point, there does need to be more funding for social care and more needs to be done for disability and age equality to be achieved. I would argue that the Paralympics goes some way to helping this being achieved as it shows that people, with a wide range of disabilities, can join in with sport and compete at the highest level just as their able bodied peers to do. They act as positive role models to disabled children and show them that their ambitions are worthy of pursuing. Much of the population, disabled and able bodied, accept that they are not going to represent their country at the Paralympic or Olympic games but find their own way in life and achieve in lots of different ways. I understand that some people find themselves in situations where this feels unachievable but that is where there needs to be more support and understanding, I'm not sure it's fair to take something away from a group of people who ultimately, like many people in this country, are just doing their job. Remember many study alongside training in preparation for when they leave their chosen sport and are also sponsored by outlets other than the government.  We need to become more prepared to help support the older generation and we also need to ensure everyone feels appreciated regardless of age or disability and part of addressing this is by educating people. I believe every single person is unique and has something to offer whether that be representing their country in a sport or working hours on end cleaning hospitals or stacking shelves and, in my opinion each person doing each of these jobs contribute to society, they are all positive role models. Without any of these people our country would not be what it is. There are many elements to the nation that need changing and thousands of people who deserve more appreciation than they get but think of the many people who volunteer their time to run local football teams or swimming clubs to enable thousands of children to enjoy sport. I know sport is not for everyone, we are all different and that is ok. I hope this makes sense and apologies if any upset caused. Thank you. 

Hi @newborn, 
                       Firstly, I would like to apologies if my post caused offence or upset, on rereading the post I can think how you may think that I was reinforcing this idea that older and disabled people are not worthy, but I can assure you this is not the case. I used the example of working because I know of both disabled and older people carrying out these types of jobs and I wanted to show that everyone has value. Please do not think I believe that older and disabled people are not worthy, my view is the complete opposite. I am a disabled person myself, who has regularly recieved criticism for being disabled and this, in the past, has caused me to feel shame. I don't want anyone, old or young, to feel this and I want them to believe that they are worthy because they are.  In response to your question regarding voluntary sporting opportunities for disabled and older people, yes I can give you examples but I agree that there are not nearly enough and this is something that needs to change. An example is recently discovering a football team for people with CP or a swimming club for people with Down's Syndrome or a dance group for people of all ages with or without a disability. I am also part of a wheelchair basketball team which enables both disabled and able bodied people to join in.
I would like to apologies to the community if my previous post caused offence and thank @newborn as I have learnt that when I am trying to make a point sometimes as little more thought is needed. Apologies and many thanks.