Sport has great potential to raise spirits and nowhere is this more obvious than in the area of Paralympic sport.  Catastrophic injury such as a broken back or loss of a limb can destroy a life but there are many ways in which people can rebuild their sense of worth and sport plays its part.
The Paralympic Games in London changed for many the way in which disability is seen and among those who played his part in that was Mark Rohan.  The former Westmeath county footballer broke his back and was confined to a wheelchair.
Rather than give up on sport he adapted his new circumstances first by playing wheelchair basketball then, through a talent identification day run by Paralympics Ireland, through hand cycling.  World Championship titles and two Olympic Gold medals later, Rohan is a key supporter of next Saturday’s Paralympic Talent Search where the next generation of Paralympians will have the opportunity to experience what sports might be available and suitable for them.
The Search takes place at the Sports Centre in UCD and is part of an ongoing commitment to the sport by Cadbury who have leant their name and resource to making the event as wide ranging and inclusive as possible.
Athletes from Ireland’s most successful Paralympic Team will be present on the day, alongside 18 exhibiting sports and various demonstrations. Michael McKillop will speak and there will be demonstrations of elite Paralympic team events including wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and cerebral palsy football.
“It’s great to think that the team’s success in London will inspire others with a disability to try Paralympic sport,” said Rohan.
“As an athlete who has competed at six Paralympic Games, it’s fantastic that we’re already on the lookout for future talent,” added Cadbury Athlete Ambassador, Catherine Walsh, another double medallist at the Games. “Cadbury provided me with crucial personal support towards London 2012 and I’m thrilled that they are supporting the event.”
If you have a physical disability or visual impairment and are keen to attend, you can register free at www.paralympics.ie.
Cadbury featured in our ‘Making Sport Work for Business’ series of interviews with leading sponsors earlier in the summer.
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