So I just went to the IGA and managed to avoid being accosted by two women trying to get donations for Paralympians... Now my concern is that, while I'm all for people with disabilities to go out and make the most of their lives, someone who is capable of being a paralympian is CERTAINLY capable of getting a job and supporting their own career. I mean, I'm trying to become a professional musician but that doesn't mean I'm going to ditch my day job and expect handouts to help me get myself back onto my feet. Someone may have a dream of winning gold in the Paralympics, but something tells me that somebody who is $20 away from sight-saving eye surgery is far more deserving of a portion of my income. I have no problem donating money where it is truly deserved! What are all your thoughts?
Is this a serious post? Surely not... All these guys would in fact have jobs, and far less time than you or I with all the training that they have to do in between. But there are costs in getting these athletes overseas and competing, and it's bloody expensive. It's not a professional sport, it does not attract the corporate dollars, these people do it for their love of the sport not the money. What makes a fully abled athlete so much more deserving of your money that you pay through watching ad's on tv, buying branded products etc etc. These people just want the money so they can afford to compete, professional athletes don't pay a cent and get a nice retirement fund. You can choose not to support them, but it's pretty naive to think of them as money-bludgers. It's like saying the starlight foundation is a terrible organisation expecting you to give a child their last dying wish a trip to disney land when you can donate to give money to someone else for eye surgery.
I don't understand, if the special Olympics were on tv, I'd watch it, would be funny as, with a few drinks!
The paralympics are on tv. They are usually on SBS 2 weeks after the regular olympics are on. And "special" olympics and paralympics are two completely different things. And people who worse off than you are heaps funny
Well I don't watch TV, and I don't buy branded products unless they're cheap and suitable to my needs. I don't give my money away to ANYONE who just sits around expecting everything for free when they already have much more than I do. If they have jobs already, then good on them. They can save up like the rest of us have to when we want to take an overseas trip. I have no problem with them competing or training, and I appreciate when people work hard to achieve their goals, but sometimes - guess what? Poor diddums. It's JUST sport. Yes, I said it. There are far more important things in life that I could be helping people with.
Then don't donate, it's that simple. If you don't think it's a good cause then fine. But the reality is, these trips costs alot more than your average holiday, and being less abled, most of them probably don't have the same job opportunities you or I do either. Ever attended a sporting event? Ever gone up the pub to watch a game of footy? Ever bought anything that provides sponsorship to any sporting team or event? Paralympians don't have those opportunities. Don't judge them for asking for support, just don't donate, and keep walking.
The thing most people don't realise is the significant PERSONAL cost the paralympians are faced with to represent their country, and train to represent their country. Hardly any sponsorship or support. I would support a once in every 4 year team payment of a few million dollars for ALL Olympians (not just the paralympians) without significant sponsorship to represent Australia from the Government. Setup a system where they have to qualify for the government support (i.e. the Ian Thorpes who make millions can easily pay their own way) but take the stress of paying to compete out of the equation for them. I'm all for financially supporting our elite sports men and women. If we can give Zimbabwe $8million but can't fund out sporting teams, there's something seriously wrong.
Because they're arseholes, that's why. I work at a Rehab hospital, and the MAJORITY of brain-injured patients are victims of assault. A lot of these people even need to learn how to speak again, thanks to the actions of some complete douchebag (and probably his cowardly mates) picking fights. That being said though, Wheelchair rugby really IS hilarious, and the participants know it! It's not called Murderball for nothing. Look it up on Youtube!
Care to elaborate? People I know with disabilities have generally been much nicer, more giving and more humble people than able bodied people.
No to ever buying something that supports a sport? Right so I take it you've never used any of the following... Used a bank, consumed alcohol of any type, never consumed any popular food or drinks like coca cola, never bought a car, never used any professional services, never used a telephone, etc etc? Wow, how is your cave going? The fact is, you indirectly support professional athletes with purchases of almost everything in your life. Paralympians get little of that. It costs a fortune to compete in the olympics, and believe it or not, alot of it STILL comes out of their own pocket. Pretty sure channel 9 have Holden half-time for the NRL, so you're right up the creek there saying you never support sports
I had to read what he wrote about 5 times caus I was thinking the same as you..... I think hes trying to say the people that laugh at people with disabilitys are assholes, not the people with the disabilitys.
Ok, will get flamed for this but who gives a ****. Picture some of these scenarios: Armless swimming Legless running 1 armed rower Legless waterpolo Armless equestrian blind skeet shooting Armless weightlifting. Sorry, but if I would be in tears witnessing some of those events. Im not amused by the sports person, I am amused by the event Oh for the record, I wouldn't hand cash over either. Would rather give to Sids etc.
Yeah sorry, after I posted that I realised I wasn't clear. The people who laugh at disabled people are arseholes. ProphetVX - I don't DELIBERATELY support sports in that fashion. I drive a car because I have to. I drink coke because I like it. I use a phone because I need to be contactable. Just because I'm supporting them indirectly doesn't mean that I go out of my way to support them. It's really not the same thing and I'm sure you're just trying to be difficult by mentioning it .
And thats a fair enough standpoint. The original comments however saying just get a job etc etc really aren't warranted... Personally I'd only make a small donation to their cause if any, but I still believe they are entitled to ask. Things like Movember, the guys who invented it make millions every year and only around 50-60% I think it was makes it to prostate research. Sure there are plenty of other good causes out there, but they're still entitled to ask if they want.
No what I am saying is you are judging these people because you asked for a donation and saying you don't support sports, when indirectly you do. Those opportunities aren't available to these athletes, but you judge them as free loaders because they need help to compete at an elite level. While able bodied athletes get paid millions and millions.
