I love it, there seems to be a whole new level of public understanding, joining in celebrating the achievement of these super human athletes in spite of all their challanges. It makes you stand taller.
Never mind a legacy of sports, the paralympics will leave us with a legacy of understanding, compassion, patience. All of a sudden there seem to be more people in wheelchairs, more people with visual impairments, more small people, as we become aware and willing to meet their gaze.
As a sister of a brother with learning disabilities. The change is not just tolerated, it's celebrated, it's awesome.
As a family, we saw Friday's athletics event, comprising small people throwing javelins with unbelievable skill and strength, the final of the blind and visually impaired female long jump, heats for the male blind and visually impaired 100m, female wheelchair discus throwing, a wheelchair 400m and a running race. The stadium was completely full. No one cared about the disability, we only cared about whether the athletes were British or not!
The 'is it ok' feature on Adam Hills 'the last leg' has broken loads of taboos on disability.
Seb Coe said were never going to see disability in the same way.
Even Jimmy Carr said we've had a summer off cynicism because we delivered.
Helping my daughter with her homework on Ludwig Guttmann founder of the Paralympics and now watching the BBC biopic 'the Best of Men' raised my awareness further.
And that's why I feel so hopeful, if people of Manchester are a little but more tolerant, a little bit more understanding, a little bit more willing to help, we won't be ashamed of people with disability, we will see them as equals, and give them them the dignity they deserve. Therefore my brother David's future and the future of Outreach (where I'm a trustee) the organisation that supports him, will be a little bit easier.
So if you're inspired and want to help, as I did, or want to ramp up your busniess's social agenda, there's loads of ways to get involved.
You can volunteer, fundraise or get involved in our 'changing rooms' refurbishment programme. Call me on 07989 744 336 or the Outreach office on 0161 740 3456 to find out more.