Share with you some photos

[amanda1969]

It was very fantastic performance on September 6th night (Chinese time).

 

http://photocdn.sohu.com/20080906/Img259413972.JPG

http://photocdn.sohu.com/20080906/Img259413840.JPG

http://photocdn.sohu.com/20080906/Img259413632.JPG

http://photocdn.sohu.com/20080906/Img259412238.JPG

Edited September 6, 2008 by amanda1969 (see edit history)

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

Nice photos Amanda. Thanks for sharing....

 

I don't know if the para-olympics is getting much coverage in the West. There are many lovely images coming out of Beijing this week. I personally find it heartwarming to see people that are rising above a loss of a limb or other disabling malady, to do the best and be the best they can be.

[Dennis143]

I really hate to be so cynical, but in a country (where I am told by their countrymen) that sells children with disabilities to a life of begging or even will give a child a disability to enable them to beg, I wonder if this ParaOlympics is just for show or really and truly a turning point to in their psyche to realize the full potential of the human spirit and human worth.

 

I truly hope it is the latter.

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

I really hate to be so cynical, but in a country (where I am told by their countrymen) that sells children with disabilities to a life of begging or even will give a child a disability to enable them to beg, I wonder if this ParaOlympics is just for show or really and truly a turning point to in their psyche to realize the full potential of the human spirit and human worth.

 

I truly hope it is the latter.

 

As the father of a daughter having significant learning disabilities, this indeed is a topic that I am sensitive. While the US opened many doors to the "disabled" (a term often used in the US), there are many closed doors to them.

 

It's interesting that you would characterize such an awesome event as "just a show". Are you suggesting that those who organized this event in China did this for show only?

 

Through the years, I attended several events for the learning disabled, in which my now grown daughter attended. Nearly every one of these events was attended almost exclusively by family members. You would have a tough time finding someone who took time out of their day to show up and watch. Is it any different anywhere else? While you may find more access ramps and parking in the US, these people are forgotten in society.

 

I noticed something on the news here in China this morning, that makes me take heart however. There are thousands of people that could not even get close to getting a ticket to the now complete Olympics of the normal people. These people are now attending these events. There is just something that happens inside a person that watches someone get a victory for just completing something that you and I could do with our eyes closed, or with little effort.

 

Personally, I'm inspired by this event. Of course, I'm often accused by a few members on this site as not seeing the real picture of China while living here. I can tell you, that my daughter is happy that her father believes in her, and the millions in the world like her. But then again, I'm just one person.

 

[Randy W]

According to Wikipedia,

In 2001, the IOC and IPC signed an agreement which guaranteed that host cities would be contracted to manage both Olympic games and Paralympic games effective in 2012

This has apparently been the case less formally since 1988

[rogerluli]

China has very, very far to go to become friendly to the disabled in the simple act of just getting around. We have traveled extensively by train in China and it seems to me that it would be out of the question for a disabled person to do so... stairs, stairs and more stairs are everywhere... Everything is built with a set of stairs to climb to get there...

 

Talking the talk is all well and good but wheeling the wheelchair is quite another challenge...

Edited September 8, 2008 by rogerluli (see edit history)

[izus]

I really hate to be so cynical, but in a country (where I am told by their countrymen) that sells children with disabilities to a life of begging or even will give a child a disability to enable them to beg, I wonder if this ParaOlympics is just for show or really and truly a turning point to in their psyche to realize the full potential of the human spirit and human worth.

 

I truly hope it is the latter.

 

As the father of a daughter having significant learning disabilities, this indeed is a topic that I am sensitive. While the US opened many doors to the "disabled" (a term often used in the US), there are many closed doors to them.

 

It's interesting that you would characterize such an awesome event as "just a show". Are you suggesting that those who organized this event in China did this for show only?

 

Through the years, I attended several events for the learning disabled, in which my now grown daughter attended. Nearly every one of these events was attended almost exclusively by family members. You would have a tough time finding someone who took time out of their day to show up and watch. Is it any different anywhere else? While you may find more access ramps and parking in the US, these people are forgotten in society.

 

I noticed something on the news here in China this morning, that makes me take heart however. There are thousands of people that could not even get close to getting a ticket to the now complete Olympics of the normal people. These people are now attending these events. There is just something that happens inside a person that watches someone get a victory for just completing something that you and I could do with our eyes closed, or with little effort.

 

Personally, I'm inspired by this event. Of course, I'm often accused by a few members on this site as not seeing the real picture of China while living here. I can tell you, that my daughter is happy that her father believes in her, and the millions in the world like her. But then again, I'm just one person.

 

 

shu¨­ de h¨¦n h¨£o w¨¯ de p¨¦ng y¨®u

[izus]

It was very fantastic performance on September 6th night (Chinese time).

 

http://photocdn.sohu.com/20080906/Img259413972.JPG

http://photocdn.sohu.com/20080906/Img259413840.JPG

http://photocdn.sohu.com/20080906/Img259413632.JPG

http://photocdn.sohu.com/20080906/Img259412238.JPG

 

Amanda f¨¥i ch¨¢ng b¨´ cu¨° t¨² pi¨¤n de

 

(is that correct grammer?)

[Joanne]

It was very fantastic performance on September 6th night (Chinese time).

 

 

Amanda f¨¥i ch¨¢ng b¨´ cu¨° t¨² pi¨¤n de

 

(is that correct grammer?)

 

f¨¥i ch¨¢ng b¨´ cu¨° de t¨² pi¨¤n

[Joanne]

I really hate to be so cynical, but in a country (where I am told by their countrymen) that sells children with disabilities to a life of begging or even will give a child a disability to enable them to beg, I wonder if this ParaOlympics is just for show or really and truly a turning point to in their psyche to realize the full potential of the human spirit and human worth.

 

I truly hope it is the latter.

 

The criminals are doing the things you mentioned, Dennis. China has its share of criminals.

 

IMHO, ParaOlympics will at very least raise awareness in the society that we should not forgotten the handicaped group.

 

Different society has different value system. I think in the past, it is easier for Chinese to provide man-help than building accessable facilities so that the handicapped can move around independently. (Remember, China is a society which charish more group strengh than individual indenpendence.)

 

For example, once in Beijing West Train Station, my sister-in-law's wheelchair faced a flight of stairs. A group of station workers came along, wanted to help lifting the chair (with her in it). My father-in-law didn't trust the group. To me the chance was extremely slim that 4 big men would drop the tiny lady in the wheel chair, but my father-in-law insisted carrying her single handed. Is it a typical American?

 

I woule appreciate wheelchair accessable facilities. I think ParaOlympics would certainly help with that.

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

I really hate to be so cynical, but in a country (where I am told by their countrymen) that sells children with disabilities to a life of begging or even will give a child a disability to enable them to beg, I wonder if this ParaOlympics is just for show or really and truly a turning point to in their psyche to realize the full potential of the human spirit and human worth.

 

I truly hope it is the latter.

 

The criminals are doing the things you mentioned, Dennis. China has its share of criminals.

 

IMHO, ParaOlympics will at very least raise awareness in the society that we should not forgotten the handicaped group.

 

Different society has different value system. I think in the past, it is easier for Chinese to provide man-help than building accessable facilities so that the handicapped can move around independently. (Remember, China is a society which charish more group strengh than individual indenpendence.)

 

For example, once in Beijing West Train Station, my sister-in-law's wheelchair faced a flight of stairs. A group of station workers came along, wanted to help lifting the chair (with her in it). My father-in-law didn't trust the group. To me the chance was extremely slim that 4 big men would drop the tiny lady in the wheel chair, but my father-in-law insisted carrying her single handed. Is it a typical American?

 

I woule appreciate wheelchair accessable facilities. I think ParaOlympics would certainly help with that.

 

Great insight Joanne....

 

[NewDay2006]

We aren't to far ahead of China in this area are we? When I say far ahead, I mean 20 to 25 years ahead... while that is half of many of our lives, but China is country that has grown by leaps and bounds in the last 10 years. I say give them time. In the 5 years I have visited China, it gets better and better.

[Guest Rob & Jin]

we didn't see it, but We were talking to my parents who are in France they are watching it (loads of coverage) they say. They said the opening ceremony was fantastic.

 

So I guess its certain "Western countries" that are not covering it

Edited September 9, 2008 by Rob & Jin (see edit history)