With Oscar Pistorius’ unexpected defeat in the men’s T44 200 metre race on Sunday night came an upsurge of interest in the technical side of the Paralympics, namely - do longer blades give the runner an advantage? Although Pistorius has always insisted that changing blades will not affect an athlete’s performance, what is evident is that the Paralympics - more so than the Olympics - are technology driven; the athletes rely on state of the art equipment to enable them to perform to the best of their ability. With this in mind, it is perhaps predictable but disappoining to hear that many Paralympians do not have access to the essential equipment that they need, or the funds to buy it. Through the Roof (www.throughtheroof.org), a Christian organization which donates wheelchairs and equipment to disabled people all around the world, has based itself in St John’s Church - right next to the Olympic park - to give away wheelchairs to Paralympians who need them.
Pray: for the work of Through the Roof and for the many people who have benefited from their gifts. (2Cor.4:15)