Image not the way to inspire
KURT Fearnley has challenged Australia to lead the way on inclusion and judge substance over image after becoming the first Paralympic recipient of The Don Award.
Fearnley, 37, was last night recognised as the Australian sporting star whose achievements over the past 12 months – which included a gold medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games – have most inspired the nation.
And while the wheelchair racer spoke of his humility in receiving the award, he used a heartfelt and striking acceptance speech to push Australians to use sport as a vehicle to embrace and support the disabled community.
“I fundamentally believe that sport can lead this country, and I believe that the Paralympic movement is a jewel within the sporting crown,” Fearnley said.
“Sport within this country has never been about the individual. It’s been about the uniform leading.
“I’m the first within the Paralympic movement to receive this award, and I am incredibly grateful to have been given this opportunity. But I will guarantee that I won’t be the last.
“We need every person … to embrace our community of people with disabilities.
“Let’s lead the way. We won’t regret it.
“There is strength and substance in this community. Enough to build a country on.”
Fearnley – who is in the US competing and could not attend last night’s gala – has won three Paralympic Games gold medals and four world championships, and was honoured as Australia’s flag-bearer at the closing ceremony of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.
He said he had seen too many counterparts endure “too much shame” in their disability and declared judgment should be cast upon “substance and not image” in a society that he said cared too much about the latter.
“I have no intention of selfcongratulation – I have to point behind me,” he said.
“I’ve heard the stories of our Paralympic forebears, who speak about losing friends, who felt too much shame in their experience with disability. And that is within our own community.
“There was too much shame, and there wasn’t enough hope. So our sport was born out of that hope. Hope that somebody can be judged by substance and not image.”