Aberdeenshire MSP hails achievements of Scottish paralympians
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Karen Adam led her first debate in the Scottish Parliament when she lodged a motion to recognise the 33 Scots who competed in the recent Tokyo Paralympics.
The motion highlights the positive impact and inspiring endeavours that Paralympians have on people living in Scotland.
The MSP keenly highlighted how the Paralympics raises awareness about a multitude of disabilities, however, also spoke about the additional challenges many people with disabilities can live with in regard to sport participation.
Ms Adam, who made history as the first MSP to take the parliamentary affirmation in BSL, also emphasised the barriers that Deaf people still face in relation to sport.
She said: “It would be remiss of me not to mention the challenges faced by the Deaf community when it comes to participation.
"They themselves, although unable to take part in the Paralympics unless they have another disability, still face disadvantage when it comes to participating in sports.
"I hope this is something I can use my platform as a child of a Deaf adult, or a CODA, to highlight during my time in parliament.”
The motion also recognised how the Paralympics play a positive part in raising awareness about disabilities and thanks participants for their role in the games.
She spoke highly of the achievements of three particular Scottish Paralympians who made a big impact during the Tokyo Paralympics.
Continuing, Ms Adam said: “Cyclist Neil Fachie is one of our most celebrated Paralympians - indeed one of our most decorated athletes in general.
"He has an astonishing number of medals from the Paralympics, the Track World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
"In Tokyo he claimed another gold.
“Also, swimmer Toni Shaw is someone who has been massively successful recently during the European and World Para Championships.
"Toni also came home from Tokyo with a bronze.
“The third athlete from the north east I want to mention is swimmer Conner Morrison from Turriff.
"Conner started out with the Garioch Gators in Inverurie, progressed to the University of Aberdeen performance programme and has been a medal winner at the World Para Swimming European Championships, also domestically.
“Interviewed before the games Conner was realistic about his medal hopes, and said he was going to Tokyo for the experience, and as he said 'to put the best version of himself out there'.
"He qualified from the heat to reach the final of the S14 100m breaststroke.
"No medal this time but this motion is about the positive impact and inspiring endeavours that Conner and his fellow athletes have on people in Banffshire and Buchan Coast, around the rest of Scotland, and beyond.”
