History of the creation of the Paralympic movement

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated all over the world on December 3. Back in 1982, the Program of Action concerning Disabled Persons was adopted; it was designed for 10 years and called the “Decade of Disabled Persons”, and upon its completion in 1992, the General Assembly proclaimed December 3 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The goal of this day was to promote the rights of disabled people in all spheres of public life, as well as to attract the attention of the general public to the problems of the disabled. Every year there are more and more people with disabilities, so, in the Russian Federation alone, the total number of persons with disabilities is 9% of the population. Some people resign themselves to their fate and withdraw into the confines of their home, while others continue to lead an active life, not wishing to change anything in their usual way of life due to their new status. Such strong-willed people master new professions, acquire previously unknown skills, and try to broaden their horizons in various available ways. Moreover, some unique individuals, in a desire to prove to others, and first of all to themselves, that disability is not a verdict, even take part in sports competitions organized specifically for people with disabilities. And if for any famous athlete participation in the Olympics, and especially victory in them, is a matter of prestige and world recognition, for a disabled person participation in the Paralympic Games first of all means a victory of the spirit over the body, a victory over one’s own helplessness and infirmity, recognition of the fact of the beauty and fullness of life.