Paralympians join the battle to eradicate polio worldwide

 
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1 September 2012

Paralympians and national Paralympic officials from Haiti, Niger and Pakistan joined British Rotarians, politicians and business leaders in London as part of the battle to eradicate polio throughout the world.

They were among more than 100 who marked the opening of the London 2012 Paralympics at a Rotary International Garden Party at York Gate in London.

The celebration was in association with Unicef, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the British Pakistan Foundation and the Global Poverty Project.

Sir Liam Donaldson, former chief medical officer for England, paid tribute to Rotary International’s commitment and leadership in the polio campaign for more than 20 years.

He said the reduction in polio cases in 2012 to 128 was a remarkable achievement but more support was needed to achieve eradication and wipe out the devastating disease.

He also recognised the dedication and determination of the Paralympians and said that London 2012 would be the best ever Paralympic Games with it already being a near sell out.

The athletes living with polio who attended the party included Nephtalie Jean Louis from Haiti, and Harouna Ousmene and Kadidijatou Amadou from Niger. Paralympians from Pakistan were Haider Ali - the long jump world record holder and Naeem Masih, who is a long distance runner.

At the event Unicef launched a video and a photography portrait exhibition which features polio-affected Paralympians and their inspiring personal journeys in getting to London 2012.

Special guests included HE High Commissioner of Pakistan Wajid Shamsul Hassan, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Westminster Councillor Dr Cyril Nemeth, Sir Liam Donaldson, and Past President Rotary International Jonathan Majyagbe.

At least 25 athletes living with polio are participating in London 2012 events from wheelchair basketball to powerlifting. They represent countries including the US, Nigeria, India and South Africa as well as Britain.

Judith Diment, one of the Rotary District Governor's for the home counties, said: "Their path to Olympic glory personifies the ongoing global struggle against the disease with which they live. Like the Paralympians, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative is pushing for victory in its fight to end new polio infections globally, ensuring no child will ever be paralysed by polio again."

Around 99 per cent of the world’s population have been reached with polio vaccine. The remaining areas include remote parts of Afghanistan, Angola, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Pakistan.

Those leading the battle to eradicate polio say that up to a dozen children will contract the disease over the duration of the London Paralympics.

Athletes living with polio are advocating and joining the global fight to prevent new polio infections and becoming champions for the cause, helping to make the 2012 Paralympic Games the last where new polio infections are still taking place.

An auction raised more than £4,000 in aid of the Paralympian Teams and The Global Polio Eradication initiative.

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