Beauty is extremely difficult to precisely define
because everyone has varying opinions about what is beautiful. The
quote that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" sums this up very well.
One definition of beautiful is something that is excellent of it's kind.
This is a vague definition but it gives a good idea of what is beautiful
while at the same time still allowing people to have opinions of their
own. Beauty is connected to movement in this way. Athletes
are excellent of their kind in some form or another. Special athletes
with impairments are beautiful because of the sheer fact that they are
moving, exercising and competing even with their impairment. They
have the attitude that they can do anything and they act on it. Disabled
people are able to do so much with just a little help. These web
sites include different organizations which provide the guidance needed
for those with impairments. Whether one is blind, deaf, or in any
other way physically impaired, there is an organization out there willing
to help. They believe that it is important for everyone exercise
to stay healthy. They give those with impairments an outlet to show
how excellent in athletics they can be and this is what is beautiful.
The National Center on
Physical Activity and Disability (http://www.ncpad.org/home.htm)
This site encourages everybody to exercise - regardless of any
disability someone might have. They believe that it is important
to exercise in order to keep our bodies healthy. They encourage and
support people with disabilities.
Disabled Sports USA (http://www.dsusa.org/)
This site offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone
with a permanent physical disability. It is a nonprofit national
organization. They work with those who have almost any kind of impairment
imaginable. Their home page has a quote that says: "If I can do this,
I can do Anything."
The National Sports Center for
the Disabled (http://www.nscd.org/)
This is a non-profit organization that provides recreation for children
and adults with disabilities. The NSCD is headquartered in Colorado and
provides summer and winter programs. Participants build self-confidence
through the different activities that they do.
ACT & Region
Disabled Sport & Recreation Association Inc. (http://www.pcug.org.au/~croe/adsra.htm)
This organization provides opportunities in sport, recreation
& fitness for all people with a disability: intellectual, mental health,
physical, sensory. This is an Australian based company.
America's Athletes
with Disabilities (http://www.americasathletes.org/)
This company's mission is to promote and sponsor sports, recreation,
fitness and leisure events for children and adults with physical disabilities.
These events are held every year, across the country, under the banner
of the Victory Games. The Victory Games provide children and adults with
disabilities crucial and valuable experience in personal growth and achievement.
Special Olympics
(http://www.specialolympics.org/index.html)
This is a perfect example of what is beautiful. These athletes
are excellent of their kind. The special olympics oath is: "Let me win.
But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” This site is
the headquarters for the Special Olympics.
Wheelchair Sports, USA (http://www.wsusa.org/)
This organization has been directed and developed by wheelchair athletes
and wheelchair sports enthusiasts themselves, individuals with a first-hand
understanding to the values of participation. They have developed their
own rules and governing structure for the competitions.
Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation
(http://www.ela.org/)
This foundation is aware of the needs of people with disabilities in
the United States and throughout the world. Their goal is "Changing the
Face of Disability on the Planet." They are affiliated with the American
Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). They support professional
organizations that work with people with disabilities.
Pal-O-Mine Equestrian
(http://www.pal-o-mine.org/)
This organization is a non-profit therapeutic horseback riding program
that brings benefits to those with disabilities by 'stretching' both mind
and muscles. For someone who can't walk, see, communicate, etc., riding
a horse allows them to experience a new sense of freedom. This organization
truely believes that movement for those with impairments is beneficial
and beautiful.
USA Deaf Sports Federation
(http://www.usadsf.org/)
This organization's mission is to provide year-round training and athletic
competition in a variety of sports at the state, regional, national, and
international level for developing and elite athletes and also to assist
athletes in developing physical fitness, sportsmanship, and self-esteem.
Their goal is to provide deaf and hard of hearing children and adults with
opportunities to compete with their peers as well as the larger society
of athletes worldwide.
United States Association of Blind
Athletes (http://www.usaba.org/)
This is the official site of the USABA. They want to change the
attitudes of the blind or visually impaired. They believe that because
someone is blind doesn't mean that they are in any way inferior to other
elite athletes. They provide world class coaching and training for the
blind or visually impaired.