United World College of South East Asia: Empower, Achieve, Inspire

Wheelchair Basketball Middle School assembly

Members of the BIS COPs group with school Interim Director Chris Akin planting trees to symbolise the commencement of the project

Wheelchair basketball Autograph

Empower, Achieve, Inspire

The International Paralympic Committee website scrolls the words “Empower, Achieve, Inspire.” These words so aptly capture the spirit of the paralympians. All students at United World College of South East Asia were given the chance to see and understand that paralympians are empowered; they have achieved and how fortunate we were — they inspired and united our entire community. It was quite simply a great week. wheelchair BB looking at leg

In addition to this and as part of their preparation for the Beijing Paralympics beginning September 6, the teams played a fi ve-game tournament, and although Great Britain made a clean sweep of the series, the interest and appreciation of the large audiences never waned. The wider Singapore community was treated to an athletic and strong display of this very physical game of wheelchair basketball.

-18- The paralympic wheelchair basketball teams from Great Britain and South Africa visited the college and changed the perception of most in our community as regards physical disabilities. The focus of conversation between students and their parents was on what the athletes were able to do, not once about what they were unable to do. The paralympians gave their time freely as they led assemblies for every grade level of the college and conducted wheelchair basketball clinics during the students’ physical education lessons. We always knew this visit would have an impact on the students; however, few realized the impact we observed. We wish the two teams all the very best in their endeavors and to thank them earnestly for the contribution they have made to open our eyes, minds, and hearts. No amount of bookwork could have achieved the tiniest fraction of this, and I doubt any of us will ever forget this unique experience.

Susan Edwards and Brian Ó Maoileoin