Visibility ≠ Support: What Paralympic athletes actually need

In this episode, Staci Mannella and Dr. Andrea Bundon dive deep into the nuanced world of Paralympic sports. With the Paralympics starting this Friday, what do you need to know to learn from and support these amazing athletes?

Manella and Dr. Bundon challenge common para-athlete misconceptions, discuss the vital guide-athlete relationship, and explore the structural barriers that still exist.

Key Takeaways:

1. Visibility vs. Support: Understand why merely increasing visibility for para-athletes isn't enough to address their actual needs and challenges.
2. How does the guide-athlete relationship work?
3. Understand the misconceptions around Paralympic inspiration narratives that minimize athletes' experiences.
4. And how can you really get behind these athletes as an active supporter!

Staci Mannella is a former Paralympic skier turned sport psychology doctoral student and researcher, dedicated to advocating for the mental health and support of athletes with disabilities.

Dr. Andrea Bundon is a sports sociologist with extensive experience in researching disability in sports, focusing on the experiences of female athletes and the guide-athlete partnership.

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe to our podcast, leave a review, and share it with your network. Your support helps us bring more insightful conversations to the forefront. Join us as we continue to explore meaningful topics in sports and beyond!

Episode Resources

1. Staci Mannella's website
2. Andrea Bundon's Work at UBC's Centre for Sport and Sustainability

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