Tuesday 23 September 2008

This afternoon I attended the launch of "No Limits"...

Our brilliant Visually Impaired Team has been working to personalise the curriculum to address the needs of young people with visual impairment across the City. They have been working with young people from over 30 schools on a programme of sporting and adventurous activities. The "No Limits" programme took place at John Charles Sports Centre involving rugby, football, goalball, gymnastics, cricket and ju jitsu. Some young people also took part in a three day programme where they erected a tent, went orienteering, sailing, walking and tree climbing.

The Team are now extending the programme during this year and Mike Brace was at the launch of this new approach. Mike was blinded by a firework when he was ten and has used his passion for sport to enrich his life, undertaking over 50 sports ranging from surfing and sailing to skiing and cricket. Mike has run marathons, skiied marathons and canoed marathons as well as representing his country in three world championships, six paralympics and two European championships. Mike has managed athletics teams in European and world championships, managed the first England Blind Cricket Team, founded the Metro Sports Club for the Blind and was involved in setting up British Blind Sport, British Ski Club for the Disabled and the British Paralympic Association. Mike has been Chairman of British Blind Sport and Chairman of the British Paralympic Association. Mike is Chief Executive of Vision 2020 UK and is a Board Member of London 2012.

Mike's passion, energy and belief shone through his session where he argued that every child should have a fundamental entitlement to sport and activity and that we need to work to remove the barriers that limit the potential of any child with a disability.
Chris

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