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An islander with visual and hearing impairments who channelled his own challenges with accessing sport as a young person into helping other disabled islanders thrive – particularly in the world of gymnastics – has received national recognition.
Paul Patterson, Chair of the Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled, has been awarded the 'Inclusion Champion' award at the British Gymnastics Awards.
During his time at the Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled, Mr Patterson (64) has built a long-term partnership with the Special Olympics Jersey programme.
The British Gymnastics Awards are community-led, and seek to champion individuals who have made a positive contribution to the gymnastics community.
Mr Patterson is himself disabled with a visual impairment and partial hearing loss. His passion to work as part of JSAD and help disabled gymnasts in Jersey stems from issues he had accessing sport when he was younger.
“It was quite a challenge to get involved with sport and in a mainstream school - because I have those disabilities, it was pretty much that a barrier was put up against sport before I even started,” he added.
“There was no real desire to engage somebody with a disability at all... That gave me the incentive, all those many, many years ago, to not accept mainstream clubs' attitudes to giving people with a disability a chance."
Pictured: Paul Patterson has been shortlisted in the Inclusion Champion category ahead of the British Gymnastics Awards.
The judges comments read: "Amazing work...Paul’s approach is far-reaching in his community and the opportunities he’s been able to provide are significant.
"A real champion for inclusive gymnastics in his community."
Speaking to the British Gymnastics Awards about inclusive gymnastics in Jersey, Mr Patterson said: “I’ve been delighted to see the way everyone has followed our ethos. They welcome participation first, so everyone can enjoy themselves.
“That has generated a fantastic team spirit among all those who take part and that converts beautifully to competitions, because they may well compete against each other, but the way that they congratulate each other on a good performance, even if it’s a competitor, is something that I really like to see - it’s fantastic sportsmanship.”
The British Gymnastics Awards celebrate those at the heart of gymnastics who create an uplifting experience for all.
British Gymnastics has launched a new vision for a new era of gymnastics, learn more about Leap Without Limits here.
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