Paralympic Perspectives: Ann Cody

Ann Cody has more than 25 years of experience in the Paralympic Movement. She is a Paralympian in wheelchair basketball and athletics. From the local level to the Paralympic Games, Cody has organized sports programs and competitions for athletes with disabilities. Recently, she was a senior advisor to the New York City team bidding to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games. Currently, Cody serves on the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board. She is also director of partnerships and public policy with BlazeSports America , and is an advocate and role model for the Paralympic Movement. 

When I was in fifth grade, a guest speaker came to our class to talk about his native state of Hawaii. We saw pictures of beautiful waterfalls, cliffs and beaches, ate pineapple, and learned about luaus and native dances. Coming from a farm in the eastern United States, all I knew was that I wanted go to Hawaii someday.

That classroom presentation wasn’t life altering, but as my teacher intended, it expanded my view of the world. Eventually I visited Hawaii while I was in college and it was everything I’d envisioned, and more.

Back in fifth grade I couldn’t have imagined that I would someday be a guest speaker in a fifth grade class. I have to admit that the first time I spoke to fifth graders I was terrified because I remembered how judgmental my class was toward outsiders. 

The subject of my guest presentation was my experience as an elite athlete with a disability and the Paralympic Games. The kids were fascinated with my Paralympic medals, wheelchair racing, and they even wanted to know whether or not I slept in my wheelchair!

It turned out to be me who got an education on disability awareness that day. Paralympic athlete or not, there is a natural curiosity about disabilities that gets addressed in the process of educating people about Paralympic sport, athletes and the Games. At the International Paralympic Committee, we call this Paralympic education.

The premise of Paralympic education is to share the Paralympic values of determination, courage, inspiration and equality using sports activities and athlete stories to create understanding and develop positive attitudes toward people with disabilities. 

Worldwide, Paralympic Education has an impact on society. At the local level — whether through Paralympic Games awareness programs such as Paralympic School Day or an athlete visit to a local school — the Paralympic Movement is helping change attitudes about disabilities.

As a Paralympian, I relish the idea of sharing my story with young people as a way to expand their horizons, and by doing so, hopefully make the world a friendlier place for people with disabilities.

 

Paralympic Perspectives is a celebration of the two-year countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. This series comprises personal stories written by Paralympians and leaders passionate about the Games. Visit vancouver2010.com every weekday from March 12 through March 21 for a new story of personal triumph and fierce competition.

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