Shaheen, Ayotte Cry Foul Over Exclusion of N.H. Swimmer From Paralympics
boston.cbslocal.com/.../
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., are objecting to a decision not to allow a New Hampshire record-setting swimmer to participate in the International Paralympic World Swimming Championships next week in Montreal.
Paralympic officials say Victoria Arlen is ineligible because they don’t believe her disability is permanent...
This article explains a little more:
www.seacoastonline.com/.../20130811-SPORTS-308110341
The dispute stems from a recent medical report that stated if Arlen got years of physical therapy, she might be able to walk again.
Dr. Michael Levy, of Johns Hopkins University, responded to the committee.
"It will take many months to years to get Ms. Arlen back on her feet. I did not mean to imply that Ms. Arlen would be able to walk quickly," Levy wrote. "Please do not misconstrue my plan as a statement of permanence of her disability."
At least 5 of the swimmers on Australia's 2012 Paralympic team have been reclassified at least once in their career.
Make that at least 7 of them. Forgot Matt Cowdrey (originally S9/SB9/SM9, now S9/SB8/SM9) and Aaron Rhind (who has swum everything between S6 and S8 - reclassified 4 times, I think). Basically, it happens a lot.
Easy to tell if someone is missing an arm or a leg. Not so easy to tell to what extent a junior with cerebral palsy is physically capable of improving their technique. Not always easy to tell apart impairment and inexperience, and talent and training can make people look superficially less impaired than they actually are.
At least 5 of the swimmers on Australia's 2012 Paralympic team have been reclassified at least once in their career.
Make that at least 7 of them. Forgot Matt Cowdrey (originally S9/SB9/SM9, now S9/SB8/SM9) and Aaron Rhind (who has swum everything between S6 and S8 - reclassified 4 times, I think). Basically, it happens a lot.
Easy to tell if someone is missing an arm or a leg. Not so easy to tell to what extent a junior with cerebral palsy is physically capable of improving their technique. Not always easy to tell apart impairment and inexperience, and talent and training can make people look superficially less impaired than they actually are.
