The Paralympic games are firing up this year in Rio, as seventeen Arizona para-athletes take their spot and make their mark. From September 7th to 18th, para athletes will be competing in one hundred seventy-seven medal events throughout the city.

However, many do not know that Arizona will be heavily representing the United States this year. That includes the 2012 USQRA athlete of the year, Joe Delagrave. As a current resident in Chandler, Arizona he will be competing in this year’s paralympic games.

Para athletes are inspirations around the school campus and in individuals’ lives. Not only does it put into perspective these differences, but inspires people to follow their aspirations no matter the situation.

Unified sports coach, Rose Escalante, passionately says, “We’re just all the same, and everyone should be given a chance to show what they can do.”

Within school’s society, many fail to realize the similarities within differences among us.

Many years ago, Lani Dekker competed on the dive team. All with only one leg. Her determination and “good natured” attitude, as Keddi Murrish, coach of the Perry dive team, would say was most inspiring about Dekker.

Murrish says, “Sports in high school it’s about athletic competition, but it’s really about learning how to work with other people, and learning how to get along on a team, and be responsible.”

She acknowledges the fact that being on a team requires everyone to learn and experience new things, not just someone with a disabilities.

“Those kind of things, which is a skill everyone needs regardless of their athletic ability.” Murrish continues.

While it has improved overtime, unified sports and people with certain physical or mental disabilities are often overlooked in today’s society. Despite standards within sports, the Paralympics has made way to accept people for their disabilities, and inspired schools and others to change and do the same.

“It’s just nice to have like the paralympics recognize those people who wouldn’t otherwise be.” She adds, “they’re not the ones who are on the varsity football team in high school, and get all the glory. They’re just getting recognized for working hard and doing good things.” she proclaims.

As the Paralympics takes place this year in Rio, it really is shedding a light of inspiration towards schools and our hometown, as over seventeen para-athletes compete this year!