Women are still fighting to gain respectability in some sort of sports till nowadays. The story of the pedestienne Bertha Von Hillern and Madame Ade Anderson, two spectaculars athletes back in the 19th century, is happening today but in a different circumstances and with different group. If able women are working hard looking for some appreciation for their efforts in a sport, disabled women are even fighting harder not only because of their gender, but also because of their disability. According to the International Paralympic Committee, “women in the 2004 Summer Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, represented less than one-third of the 3,806 participants” (Bender). Disabled women athletes are rarely honored on their early ages which stop them from moving into professional level. Moreover, disabled athletic women who made it into professional level are breaking records but media don’t highlight such events the same way they do with men. For example, the eight times champion of Boston Marathon and named number 25 of the top 100 female athlete of 20th century by Sports Illustrated for Women the wheelchair racer Jean Driscoll efforts were never recognized by the public. Therefore, I believe to recognize such efforts by disabled women, magazines like Sports Illustred for Women should never close down , however more magazines like Hersports and Real Sports should be published to public and have such women on their cover page. In addition to that, the government should put more effort in the programs for disabled women from their early ages to support them playing any type of sport.
Bender , K (2006). Disabled Women Push Barriers in Sports. Retrieved from http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2858/context/archive
Khodr Saleh
KIN 338i 2:00-3:15 T/R
Section 3023
2 comments:
I agree that more government funding into youth disability programs would prove beneficial for young disabled athletes, including women. Unfortunately, I think finding the funding to support such programs will be extremely difficult. In addition to our current economic climate, I would assume that able-bodied youth programs remain higher on the list of programs that receive support, when the government considers available programs. While I do not think it will be very easy, I think improved funding for such programs will need to come from private donations.
I also agree that more magazines and publications should place a greater emphasis on disabled athletes. Unfortunately, I do not think such an action will occur. Sadly, I do not think enough people care to hear and read about the happenings within the disabled sports community, and I think magazines do not see a financial benefit to include such information as a result. Due to this lack of coverage, disabled athletes and sports will not see much mainstream press, and disabled kids might become disillusioned with sports because they will have no knowledge about many disabled athletes, let alone disabled women athletes.
Eric Harnden
Kin 338i, Section 6
T/R 2:00-3:15 PM
Erick thank you for your comment but we shouldn't expect a change in a vary short time. Long term programs by the government should be planned till the economy is back to it's previous state. Plus there are alot of money that is not spent on Americans it's either somewhere in Iraq or Afghanistan, imagine that number being invested in the country, am pretty sure a lot of current issues will be gone. plus in my point of view women should be more active in Organizations that support their existence in a sport. Have you ever hear about any of those organizations: America’s Athletes with Disabilities, Disabled Sports USA,National Sports Center for the Disabled, United States Association of Blind Athletes? For me personally i never knew that such organizations are out there, i had to search for them and that's the problem. Such organizations should promote, put ads everywhere to let others know what those organizations do.
Khodr Saleh
Kin 338i, Section 6
T/R 2:00-3:15 PM
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