The final stretch of summer is ending this year with an exciting two weeks of Paralympic competition. Underway this week in Beijing, the Paralympic Games involve more than 4,000 athletes with disabilities from 148 different countries. Eager sports fans who enjoy the height of international competition will appreciate the dedication and determination of these fine athletes, many of whom had to overcome enormous physical and attitudinal barriers to reach Beijing. Many athletes had to spend their own money or raise their own funds for several years to get to the Games, which is what makes the Paralympics such a unique event.

Read the entire column at http://www.ncpad.org/577/2519/2008-09~Issue~~~Growth~of~Paralympics~Helps~Change~
the~World~s~View~of~Disability.