From Bad Comes Good

THERE IS MORE GOOD NEWS IN THE WORLD THAN BAD
Over the years my blogs have often alluded to the fact that often good comes from bad happenings. For example:
- The development of vaccines to counter deadly viruses and parasites, such as Covid, and Malaria, respectively.
- Reconciliation taking place with the Indigenous Peoples to offset, understand, correct and make up for the many wrongs of colonialism.
- Alternate energy sources being developed as an alternative to CO2 fossil fuels.
- Money being raised and programmes created to feed the starving in Ethiopia, to name a few.
However, nowhere was going from bad to good happenings more evident than in the recent Paris Paralympics.
There were 4,400 athletes in Paris from 169 countries, all of whom had suffered some form of trauma such as loss of a limb, birth defects, accidents, head injuries or loss of sight.
All athletes rose above the trauma and each athlete had their own compelling and inspiring story. Some of the stories were told in writing, some by commentators and some in the competition itself.
One of the great outcomes of these games was the increased awareness that people with disabilities were people too, with their own ups and downs, emotions and dreams, wanting to be vital, do something meaningful and ultimately, accomplishing great things.
The expressed objective of the Paralympics was to focus on their abilities, not disabilities.
In my view, they succeeded big time. 2.4 million people watched them in person and millions of others around the world on TV.
The Opening Ceremony was held in la Place de la Concorde where, during the French Revolution 200 plus years ago, French women came with their knitting to watch as heads (including the French King and Queen!) were cut off by the guillotine. This was how the French back then chose to get rid of the bad and move to the good.
What a different world we thankfully live in! In 2024 we saw a much different way of moving from the Bad to the Good.
As mentioned, there were 4,400 athletes and just as many stories. Here are a few:
There was Nicholas Bennett who was diagnosed with autism at age 3. According to The National Institute of Mental Health, Autism is considered to be a developmental disability creating physical, learning, language and behavioural issues and impairments, including difficulty communicating with others.

Swimming is considered to be a wonderful outlet for those with autism as it creates space for individual focus and effort.
Nicholas, who was coached by his sister, won 2 gold medals and a silver in swimming.
He could not hold back his tears and was hardly able to speak when interviewed at the medal presentation, but he overcame this and ended up carrying the Canadian flag at the Closing Ceremonies, along with Brianna Hennessy from Ottawa.
Brianna, until 10 years ago, was an accomplished athlete in regular sports. She played hockey, rugby, soccer and was an Ontario champion boxer. When she was 29, she was hit by a taxi, becoming a quadriplegic (partial or total loss of function of legs, arms, trunk and pelvis).

While in the hospital, she told her parents she had nothing to live for. She eventually decided, “You can let your condition define you, or let it destroy you or you can find a way to let it strengthen you.”
Because of her athletic passions and indomitable spirit she became a para -athlete. First, as a rugby player, then a paddler. She won the silver medal in paddling – Canada’s first ever paddling medal.
When interviewed ,she said there were a million reasons to quit, but she continued.
She was chosen to be a co-flag carrier, in part, because of her encouragement of others.
Brianna has such a positive outlook and belief in the power of sport, she thought she might try athletics in the next Paralympics in L.A. in 2028. Para sports have given her a reason to be.
There was 44-year-old Brent Lakatos, who is married to CBC broadcaster and former gold medal para long jumper, Stefanie Read.

His legs were paralyzed after a freak skating accident at age 6. He first participated in the paralympics in 2004 and has since won 13 medals. This year he competed in five wheelchair races, ranging from 100 metres to 5000 metres. He won gold in the 800 metre and silver in the 400.
If you have ever propelled yourself in a wheelchair, for even 5 minutes at a slow speed, you will appreciate what upper body strength a wheelchair athlete has.
He is looking forward to 2028.
Brent was not the oldest competitor. There were people in their 50s in many races competing against people in their 20s and putting on a respectable showing.
There was Leanne Taylor, who lost the use of her limbs in a bicycle accident in 2018.
While in the hospital she decided to be a para-tri-athlete (an event where the athlete competes in swimming, bicycling and wheelchair racing). She won a bronze medal.

She did not know if she would be competing in L.A., because she and her husband are discussing starting a family.
On the last day, there was a marathon (42 km) for visually impaired athletes (they run with blinders and a sighted companion). The winning time for men was 2 hrs and 22 minutes, about 20 minutes slower than the regular marathon time. Amazing!!
However, for me the most emotional event was blind football. The players wear shields over their eyes to ensure they see nothing.
The ball has a bell so the players can determine the location of the ball. The final between arch rivals, France and Argentina, was played in a packed stadium with the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower.
The French won on a shootout goal by the French captain. As the ball hit the twine at the back of the net, the crowd let out a thunderous roar.
This goal piqued French nationalism, and more than made up for the one goal loss the French had against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup.

As in the regular Olympics, having spectators in attendance was a highlight. When asked what her favorite happening was, Canadian Danielle Dorris who had won a gold in the 50 metre butterfly said, “Having so many people cheering for me.” Many had expected her reply to be winning the gold medal.
Families and friends were great supporters of all athletes. After many of the events, there were near “love-ins” between competitors, regardless of whether they came first or last.
They all knew what every other competitor went through and were happy for them. Many of the athletes have competed in several games and many are looking forward to 2028 in Los Angeles.
There were an estimated 45,000 volunteers who did everything from pushing wheelchairs, to starting events, to defining the level of disability of the athletes so they could all compete fairly.
I kept thinking of the physiotherapy and the special training the athletes needed to do what they did. The muscle development of other muscles to offset the limitations of a lost leg or shortened arm must be enormous.
The determination and camaraderie were big takeaways and while the athletes were all beneficiaries, so were all who were privileged to see the triumph of the human spirit, and the good that ultimately came out of such traumatic happenings.
At the finale in the pouring rain no one left, but at the very end, the athletes with tears in their eyes did say, “Au revoir”… see you in L.A. in 2028.
And so, this being the last blog of the year, I say, “Au revoir” to you… see you next year with more good news blogs and my new book:
52+ Good News Stories: Hope for a Complex World.
May 2025 bring much good news to you and your family.
Till next time,
Chris Snyder
Climate Optimist
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