Everyone coped well with the crowds and even (rather them than me) braved the mile long queue for MacDonald’s. The Blind Football was incredible
to watch and so inspiring - we saw GB v Argentina. The football has ball bearings inside for the players to hear and team coaches shout instructions from the sidelines. Spectators have to be silent whilst the ball is in play (very hard not to cheer, ooh and ahh). Some of us were on the TV as the cameras panned the crowd - yes Graham again! It was my favourite sport; unbelievable what the players managed to do. There was plenty of time to
wander around the Olympic park afterwards and so much to see. We left at 8.30pm and the bus was buzzing with comments on the inspiring and wonderful day and again we were left very much aware that we had been part of a very special event.
Ann (Mum) “If I have to capture one moment that sent the shivers down my spine it was the roar from the crowd in the Olympic Stadium; it was unbelievable & beyond any- thing I could have ever imagined.”
Day 3
The following weekend another 22 members of TYCP and Tavi Specials were on a coach at 5am heading for the Olympic village. This time for the finals of the Cerebral Palsy Football, very close to the hearts of our Tavi Specials players and to Allen Lewis who just missed out on selection to be one of the linesmen/referees.
Again all of us were amazed and excited to be in the Olympic Park
especially as it was a glorious sunny day - 28C. The Cerebral Palsy Football was thrilling to watch and so inspiring to the Tavi Specials players and coaches. What effect will it have on practice sessions next week? Our wheelchair guys got ringside seats and waved up to us in the stands. There were Mexican waves, shouts and cheers all afternoon. We saw the medal ceremony and walked through the park whilst the athletes were lining up to go into the stadium for the closing ceremony.
Allen (Dad) “Thank You for changing my life - fantastic” Martin “Thank you so much for that last ticket for today! It was absolutely amazing”
Yes we left tired and inspired but happy to have been there and witnessed the best Paralympics in history. A huge Thank you to ‘Aiming High’ for enabling Tavistock Youth Café Plus to
organise this life-changing and inspiring experience - one that our Special Needs families will never forget.
Over 65 disabled young people, adults, parents, carers, volunteers and coaches from TYCP and Tavi Specials travelled up by coach to the Olympic Park and Excel. What a once in a lifetime, amazing and inspiring experience. We met some Paralympians and Seb Coe and were on the Telly!
We Were There in 2012
PS: As a treat for me after all that organising, I threw caution to the wind and bought ‘once in a lifetime’ tickets for my son and I to the paralympic closing ceremony. It was just spectacular to be there - an incredible show. My son, who has learning difficulties, wore his ear defenders throughout and then declared he didn’t really like Coldplay! Oh well!
I loved the paralympics,I loved the judo,high fives,I held the torch.I didn't want to come home. I want to be in the Olympics" Steph.
Tavistock Youth Café Plus is a parent led voluntary group for young people with Special Needs. The Café is open on Monday nights from 5.30pm to 7.30pm to any young person aged 6 to 18+ with an Additional or Special Need/Disability and their parents and carers. For more information visit
www.tycp.co.uk
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