Challenges of a Paralympian | Will Perry | TEDxLukelyBrook

[@theothersideofego]

I am lucky to have met Will and started a friendship. And I am sharing his talk because not only is he a gifted speaker and athlete - but he is just a really good guy with a really good mission who, first and foremost, cares about people. If you watch this talk you will come to see the only people that are disabled, are the people that see him as being less than the everyday normal champion that he is...

[@elizabethbernard3135]

What a great talk to share Jonathan, such a gifted young man, with a wonderful voice and even more wonderful message.

[@suebakernottly]

I don't understand why he isn't considered an abled body person, look at what he has done!

[@happyamandaryan]

thank you for sharing this Mr Gravenor!

[@suebakernottly]

@@happyamandaryan welcome

[@kasperean]

that last part is all too true

[@mydogbudisthebest]

This is just outrageous. Regardless of being a Paralympian, to face this kind of contrast on the daily is so wild

[@theauthenticchilleddog]

as a species, our conditioning has rendered us absolutely useless when it comes to understanding the base line expectations of human behaviour. You're a hero Will, a genuine force. Thank you for your transparency.

[@girlontopoftheworld]

I don't think it's about conditioning, I think it's about how you're raised. Though I guess in the case of those girls it's one of those weird pack mentality things that kick in and make people act like absolute savages.

[@t-bonebranson]

I just don't get people who have lived such sheltered lives that they can't even practice being a decent human to others. Will, you're an absolute legend.

[@icekunggamer]

Now this is a champion in ever part of the word!

[@harrydecker3979]

Wow this puts it all into perspective, you know at first I felt sorry for him for his differences, at the end I felt bad for me because I just don't have what he was. Will if you read this I think you're amazing.

[@willperry2856]

Thankyou so much!

[@simonoshlor]

Will's story is a great example of the impact that sports can have on people's lives, especially for those with disabilities. I can imagine this will inspire many other athletes and readers alike and hopefully one day we can shift our conditioning to be more worldly.

[@milagroczarnecki]

A pure example of mindset at it's best, a talk worth sharing.

[@nigelglynmorris]

Congratulations Will on bringing this subject to a wider TED audience. In addition to your athletic achievements, you here show your strength as a public speaker.

[@willperry2856]

Thankyou!

[@nolanrylee3993]

It's absolutely shocking that this happens, and I wish the fact that so many people were surprised (8:03) meant something in terms of how most people _wouldn't_ do this but also, if you're getting abused or laughed at every time you leave the house well a lot of people must be doing it then right?

[@sashapetrovic1678]

Wow, what a touching story! It's amazing to see how the Paralympic Games celebrate the achievements of athletes like Will, who overcome incredible difficulties to get there.

[@hermesn]

I can't believe that in this day and age people are really still making fun of other people just for looking differently.

[@mikedrawley]

Will, I am so sorry that human's have yet to evolve past objectifying and ridiculing other humans. You've got such a beautiful spirit and what a smile. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this brilliant talk and I know there's consistent success ahead of you. You're paving the way!

[@willperry2856]

Thankyou so much! I really appreciate your kind words!

[@sadfacesforall]

The Olympic Blues, can't say I've heard the term but it makes sense that what goes up must come down.

[@jededge]

i know what daily abuse feels like how destructive it is , i support will 100% , being a bit different should be celebrated , the uk has always been a closed minded society, time to grow up

[@sandycrisp4518]

After what he describes around the 4:25 mark it's a wonder he even wants to represent his country.

[@PauloCoelho-sf5sr]

I hope that you continue with your strength and your voice bringing to as many people as possible all these challenges that you face without others becoming aware of it. Congratulations.

[@willperry2856]

Hey, thankyou so much! We will win in the end!

[@alanwbell]

I guarantee half the people acting like they're surprised this happens are lying out of shame of having done exactly what he's talking about at some point in their life.

[@chanels2411]

true, although I imagine most those people were teenagers when they did

[@dianalorenaarevalosuarez]

I can never wrap my head around people who make fun of others because they view them as disadvantaged or different. Like how much has nothing bad every happened to you that you think it's funny to laugh at someone else's expense?

[@axelrespert3498]

I think people like that just suffer a critical lack of perspective. so much in my experience they don't even seem to be able to understand how hurtful what they're doing is

[@chelseaavaonil1380]

Imagine having the nerve to laugh at someone like those girls and then gaslight them like "oh you've had a bad day" wtf??? Like yeah _you've_ made it a bad day!!

[@marcusatticuslordandrule]

Why is there a stigma attached to dwarfism? What is it about us that makes us single out the "different"? I wonder if it's because we're grateful it didn't happen to us and choose to express that gratitude in the worst possible way

[@WEisMEnow]

I can't imagine how difficult it would be to go back to 'normal life' after something like competing on an Olympic level like this, that's even before all the abuse and double standards of how you're treated in public

[@willperry2856]

It's always a tricky time, for all Olympians and Paralympians, this only made things worse. Hopefully as we spread awarness we can minimuse the abuse!

[@sergeypestovskiy]

People can be so awful, especially towards those who are different

[@ca-it-lin-ro-ss]

I think it's unfair for people to have to keep it a secret they've been chosen to be an Olympian. I'd have it printed on a t-shirt!

[@mintylava4123]

Let's be real here: it's just a big show. The media only cares about it once every four years, and then everyone goes back to ignoring the struggles that disabled people face every day. I feel for Will but the paralympics is just another example of the way TPTB pick and choose

[@robsmith2936]

Cameron Rahles-Rahbula, 39 Police allege he placed his phone on its side on a silver benchtop near the treatment table to enable the device to capture footage of the minor while she lay partly undressed on the treatment table.

[@berdinaguest]

sorry maybe I missed something but what is the relevance of this?

[@kasperean]

Not disabled, just different, divergent - I think societies view is disabled.

[@juicystar1370]

You have an amazing speaking voice, I hope you pursue a career in motivational speaking, you will be great if you do.

[@willperry2856]

Thankyou very much! Hoping to do just that!

[@girlontopoftheworld]

It's a spicy world out there. People are so insecure and full of self doubt, they'll use anything or anyone to make themselves feel better