Powering up UQ’s ParaSTART program

ParaSTART is the flagship program of Professor Sean Tweedy 's 30-year research career.

"This isn't traditional therapy or rehab - it's performance sport for people with high support needs," Professor Tweedy said.

"A lot of programs focus on getting people who have severe injuries or severe disabilities back to normal.

"But we're striving for excellence, or at least providing the pathway to pursue it."

ParaSTART began in 2017 with four swimmers but has since expanded to 17 participants and several track and field events.

"It's run very much like any sports team, with sports-specific training sessions 2-3 times per week complemented by strength and conditioning work, diet and sleep," Professor Tweedy said.

"We have expectations and standards, so if someone is underperforming compared to what we know they can do, the coach will tell them it's not good enough and they need to go again.

"Enrolling in this program doesn't mean you're going to a Paralympic Games - you might not be good enough and you might not get selected and that's how sport works for everybody.

"But it's important to be able to have those dreams like anybody else."

Professor Tweedy said access to sport for people with high support needs was severely lacking.

"Athletes with high support needs aren't getting knocked out in the heats and the semis of Para sport competitions, they're getting knocked out before they even get there," he said.

"Participation in Para sport by people with high support needs is so low, and a lot of people don't even get past the watching on TV stage.

"Our program is an avenue to success for this group of highly disadvantaged but remarkably motivated and resourceful group of people.

"Our staff have the expertise and training to work safely and effectively with them and provide them with the skills to participate.

"The physical, mental and social benefits of sport and exercise for people with high support needs are enormous."

Professor Tweedy said people with severe impairments and high support needs should see others, just like themselves, competing at the highest level.

"There is truth to the adage that 'if you can't see it, you can't be it' and the value of having people with high needs competing at the games should not be underestimated," he said.

"Images like that will be far reaching - it's tremendously exciting."

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.