Gillette Children's’ Post

It is amazing to see how far we have come as a society to incorporate people of all abilities into sports today. Since 1960, the Paralympics participants have increased by nearly 10x. There are now 22 different summer sports and 6 winter sports in which Paralympics athletes can compete in. Media coverage has also increased, including the streaming service Peacock which offered 1,400 hours of Paralympic events in 2024. On a lower level, there are over three million kids who participate in Unified Sports or Special Olympics within America. On a global level, there are over six million current participants. In the past half decade, the Unified Sports world has gained nearly ten thousand more athletes. It is truly incredible to watch how the sports world has reacted and added more organizations and sports for those with mental and physical disabilities to participate in. #paralympics #unifiedsports #specialolympics #motivating

#KnowNothingCISO Disclaimer Applies ON ATOMS ,MOLECULES, MATTER AND HUMAN STORIES, STORYTELLING AND STORYTELLERS “The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.” Muriel Rukeyser. My formal education in Chemistry, actually uneducated me, teaching me the untruths that the universe is made of atoms. It took a very long time to understand and unlearn that the the universe is not made of atoms, but stories. Atoms dont move humans, but stories move humans. fractal thoughts triggererd by Jeremy Connell-Waite posts and the words “The best storytellers take a story you think you know, and then surprise you by sharing it in a way you didn't expect.” This thoughts are dedicated to all my marketing and advertising friends especially two amazing and wise storytellers Venu Gopal Nair and Narayan Kumar - Who are calling themselves “Old Bandicoots” and has started a YouTube channel. Quote Narayan Older people are assumed to be #wise. Simply by the passing of years. It isn’t true, of course. It is an assumption. There are old fools. On the other hand, older people are assumed to be stupid. If you are polite, you say passé. Out of touch with the times. Irrelevant. Living in the past. It too is an assumption. A broad stroke to conveniently ignore tons of good sense borne of experience The truth, as usual, lies somewhere in the middle. Older people are as smart, stupid, silly, funny, wise, humourless, ignorant, bull-headed, timid, assertive, confused and sharp as much as anyone in any other age group The truth can only be found out by engaging So here’s a shoutout to people of young and not so young ages. The Old Bandicoots want to share things on branding, advertising and communications that may be of urgent relevance if you’re in any way involved or interested in those areas Old Bandicoots? That’s Venu Gopal Nair and Narayan Kumar, both residents of LinkedIn. And, er, somewhat senior. They are gung-ho about their ancient #tales being of value to you. Cocky even Unquote Older people are assumed to be #wise? Is that an assumption or is there truth to that assumption? Bandicoot I havent heard that word since my PG Wodehouse days.( It is a old British English word) I could not join the live broadcast, but the title intrigued me. Are Briefs Outdated? (Watch the first episode in Comments) , that really caught my attention. Brief in British english has another meaning!! Cunning Bandicoots Let my Know Nothing CISO journey continue and let my unlearning and relearning continue with master storytellers What is #knowledge, #intelligence and #wisdom. ? Is it all about taking a story I think I know, and then surprise me by sharing it in a way I didn't expect.? Let me learn from Wise Old Bandicoots. I am slowly understanding what Aristotle's word #phronesis (practical wisdom) means. A person's phronesis is acquired from teaching and experience, so much so that a young person cannot yet have had knowledge/wisdom due to lack of experience! Raman PK

As the Paralympics start to come on the scene for Paris 2024 we will undoubtedly read and hear many stories focus on the medical or charitable model of disability (see: Inspiration Porn Ted Talk by the great Stella Young). It's our jobs as consumers of these stories to question what is being portrayed. Dr. Danielle Peers writes in their paper, "Interrogating disability: The (de)composition of a recovering Paralympian": 'We, as members of parasport communities, have a choice about what role we wish to play in the (re)production of disability and the disabling cultures that sustain it. We can continue to compose ourselves as those who can overcome (or help others to overcome) biomedical disabilities, or we can participate in the de-composition of stories, cultures and industries that disable. We can continue interrogating and normalizing those whom we understand as having disabilities, or we can begin to interrogate and de-naturalize the story of disability itself.' Channel 4 does a good job to call out the tragedy/inspiration narrative of "she's doing so well, considering" although admittedly it does still have a bit of a supercrip feel. (Unsure if you can really ever get away from this in Paralympic Sport?) As disability-inclusive advertiser, Kelsey Lindell, states, "by using a neutral tone for both the Olympics and Paralympics, you get to demonstrate the 'social model' of viewing disability." I am hopeful that thoughtful media and advertisers will use the Paralympics to start to awaken more of society to the oppression that is reproduced by inspirational/tragic/supercrip narratives rather than reinforce it.

#Paralympic athletes have so much to teach me about how to show up every at work and in life generally. Here are a few lesson's I'm applying from what I've watched so far: -Showing up is the first step to facing any challenge. -When faced with a problem that doesn't yet have a solution, create one. -Never say never. -Most people want you to succeed. Work with those who do and ignore those who don't. And there are so many more. As a one-armed competitive athlete in my middle/high school years, I can't believe I never knew about or paid attention to the Paralympics. I could have learned so much! I won't make that mistake again. Thankfully, I was embraced by the athletes I trained with in softball and tennis. Problem-solving was the first step to learning both sports. After that, it was practice, hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. Just like my two-handed teammates. This year, I'm making a point of watching the Paralympics with my family. I love seeing my kids faces when they watch athletes accomplish amazing feats of athleticism and strength. And when they hear the stories the athletes had to overcome to get to Paris. It's awesome and it's a reminder of the unique ingenuity we humans possess to overcome so many obstacles. Make some time in your calendar to watch the #Paralympics! You won't regret it. https://lnkd.in/g6DNpha9

In this article we ‘got under the hood’ of the challenges of visual impairment classification in Paralympic sport, spotlighting athletes experiences of and concerns about the process. Huge thanks to all participants involved bringing us the much-needed athlete perspective as we work to increase the inclusiveness of this process https://lnkd.in/eX6q5UXP

The Paralympic Games are a celebration of human achievement and diversity. Yet, as we enter the final week, it’s disappointed to see barriers to accessibility and inclusion persist. One significant issue is the lack of widespread television coverage. While the International Paralympic Committee offers a free #YouTube channel, many countries have restricted access due to exclusive broadcasting rights. This is a missed opportunity to promote inclusivity and showcase the incredible talents of Paralympic athletes. How can we truly embrace accessibility and inclusion if we can’t even watch the competitions? Let’s advocate for more equitable broadcasting practices and ensure that everyone has the chance to witness these inspiring events." #Paralympics #Accessibility #Inclusion #Sports #Equity https://lnkd.in/dAHYj6RW

Moments vs. Medals Athletes are often asked to share their most memorable experiences and most people expect them to speak about a gold winning performance. My most impactful memory is not winning gold, but instead losing a game of Jenga to a blind teammate at the 2012 London Paralympic Games. He didn’t let that stop him. Instead, he would feel every block from the base to the top and then make his move. It was when my final move caused the tower to fall, I learned my biggest life lesson - Don’t dwell on what you don’t have. Stop comparing yourself to others. Have the right mindset, and find your way towards your goal. #MindsetMatters #LifeLessons #BeyondTheMedals #paralympics

🌍 #Paralympics – Incredible Performances, but Lacking the Attention They Deserve? In a year filled with major sporting events like the EURO 2024, the world of sports has once again proven to be a key driver of public attention. For #corporatecommunication professionals, these events provide valuable insights into how global narratives shape public opinion and influence brand visibility. While the Summer Olympics stole the show with an incredible 377 million engagement, the 2024 Paralympics made an impressive impact of its own with 69.7 million engagements – outpacing even global events like the Tour de France. Interestingly, unlike the Olympics, which saw a drop in attention after the grand opening ceremony, the Paralympics maintained steady engagement throughout. Consistent updates, like the daily "How the Day Went" segments, kept fans connected and engaged, proving that steady, meaningful content can keep the momentum going – even without headline-grabbing moments. 💡 As we reflect on this landmark year for sports, our analysis highlights that engagement isn't always about the biggest spikes – it's about sustaining the connection with your audience. 📊 Download our report now and get access to exclusive media insights for the Paralympics 2024: https://lnkd.in/evn-wjhp #listentotheworld #diversity #disability

Did you know the Paralympics started because of the effects of WW2? Learn more about the powerful history of the Paralympics on our blog: https://brnw.ch/21wMo68 🏅 #Paralympics

This week the Paralympics concluded and Paris2024 is officially wrapped. What an amazing experience to be on the ground in Paris, but it felt like the "BIG VIBES EVERYWHERE" that was our family's coined theme of the summer went much further than inside stadiums and Olympic villages.. As I finally try to move on, I am immensely curious HOW it all happened??? From the ATHLETE STORYTELLING that broke through around athletes supporting other sport athletes, to celebrity appearances and support everywhere, to the not-so-sure about it but then very-sure Snoop ambassador of peace and support. BUT HOW? Who enabled the genius and the planets to align? NBC Olympics? Media agencies? Athlete PR firms? Olympic organizers? Would love my network's expert take on WHO enabled the genius and collective narrative that captured the world- our hearts & minds, and our screens & social feeds. Because I'd very much like to keep the momentum. [in the meantime, if you haven't watched the family support recap heres a Friday heart-warmer]: https://lnkd.in/gPbp_Ce4