Right to Dream are supporting 4 Ghanaian paralympians in the run up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games providing them with the best possible chance of qualifying, succeeding and bringing home medals for Ghana. But perhaps more importantly, it is their stories which will challenge social stigmatisms, promote equal rights and give hope and inspiration to future generations of disabled children.
Background
Right to Dream's mission is 'to offer talented, underprivileged children the opportunity to reach their true potential in life and claim a better future for Africa'. Our model focuses around the development of three main areas (talent, education and leadership skills) with the long term goal of nurturing role models and leaders of change. Over the past 10 years, we have focused on football but are now expanding our programme to include girls' football and paralympics.
Why paralympics?
• Disabled people are ostracised and marginalised in Ghanaian society – social perceptions & ineffective legislation hinder development & opportunity
• Clear need to provide the talented with opportunities to reach their full potential, to challenge social stereotypes & to promote equal rights
• Sporting talent exists in Ghana & there is a commitment to progress – it just needs careful management & funding
Our programme
We have identified 4 current paralympians who have the talent to succeed at the London 2012 Games but are currently struggling to reach their true potential due to a lack of funding and support. We will provide the athletes with a structured training programme including first class coaching, opportunities to attend international competitions, administrative and financial support, accommodation, a tailored nutritional plan, support for their families and employment opportunities post London 2012 to enable them to focus all their efforts on representing Ghana at the Games.
The team's stories will be used to promote the athletes as role models in Ghana, challenging social stigmatisms and inspiring the next generation of disabled athletes that they too can achieve. This will enable Right to Dream to establish a paralympics programme at the Academy based on our current model.
Doing our bit
James Meller and Susie Daniell will be running the Accra Half Marathon in September in support of this programme.
The clock is ticking. We need to act fast. Now is your chance to help these Paralympians reach gold and to become leaders of change and role models, inspiring the next generation.
