“….What I learned was that these athletes were not disabled, they were superabled. The Olympics is where heroes are made. The Paralympics is where heroes come.” Joey Reiman
I LOVE that quote! It says so much about the Paralympics. And it tells us why our big sports inspiration isn’t over for the summer. Don’t miss the London 2012 Paralympic Games August 29-September 9. The Paralympics is an opportunity for us to see beyond the physical disabilities, to see the truly “superabled” individuals.
Even though the post “Paralympians: the Heroes We Need” talks about the Winter Paralympic Games, it has some great information on the Paralympics in general. It also has this simple definition of the Paralympics: “Paralympics are only for elite athletes with physical disabilities.”
Here’s the official website of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. (Check out the Lantern-Making Guide and create your own Light a Lantern event in honor of the Paralympic Torch Relay.) Here’s the official website of the Paralympic Movement. If you’re looking for information on the U.S. Paralympic Team, you’ll find a downloadable Team USA Media Guide at the U.S. Paralympics Facebook page You’ll find information on the U.S. broadcast- and online coverage of the 2012 Paralympic Games here: USOC announces expanded coverage for London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Paralympic Preview Inspiration – Meet the Paralympians
Alessandro “Alex” Zanardi (a world-class race car driver until a horrific racing accident in 2001) – Golden dreams
Meet Rudy Garcia-Tolson, Paralympic Swimmer
Meet Matt Stutzman, Archer
Olympic-Inspired Ideas You and Your Child Can Use for the Paralympic Games
You can use many of the same types of activities during the Paralympics with your child as you did during the Olympics (with Paralympic adaptations wherever necessary)
How to Help Your Child Get the Most Out of the Olympics
Let the Olympics Inspire You to Live Your Own Dream
Montessori-Inspired Olympic Math Activities
Montessori-Inspired Olympic Opening Ceremony Activities and Olympics Blog Hop
Montessori-Inspired Olympic Unit
Olympic Unit Study Pinterest Board – there are many Paralympic activities linked up, including The Paralympic Blog Hop (which this post is linked to as well)

Check out the Paralympic Sport TV channel on YouTube for inspirational coverage of the Paralympics!
Get Set London 2012 has a page with Paralympic educational activities for kids.
Give yourself and your family the opportunity to be inspired … and to transform your image of individuals with disabilities.
“The Only Disability” Word Art Freebie (without watermark)
Thank you for this wonderful post me and my daughter have been sharing some paralympic inspired activities such as playing Boccia and games that rely on senses. Also made some playdough gold medals as I am sure we will be winning loads of them!
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Amy! I love the Paralympic activities you’re doing! I pinned your Paralympic posts to my Olympic Unit Study Pinterest Board at http://pinterest.com/debchitwood/olympic-unit-study/.
A great Quote and love the Art work, so true peoples attitudes need to change to learn to accept these amazing people x
Thanks so much, Angie! I really hope more people start following the Paralympics. I don’t think they could help but change their ideas of people with disabilities if they do.
I love all this inspiration. The quotes ar amazing.
Thanks for linking to the Paralympics blog hop. I’ve only just had chance to comment and it’s been so inspiring.