RICHMOND, Va. –
In line with the 2024 National Disability Employment Awareness Month’s objective of highlighting opportunities for disabled Americans, the international Paralympic Games seek to provide disabled athletes with worldwide possibilities.
The games, held in conjunction with the Winter and Summer Olympics, had its start in providing injured veterans and disabled civilians of the World War II era an outlet for athletic achievement.
The effort relies on volunteers, and after learning about volunteers backing out and new applications being accepted, one Defense Logistics Agency Aviation employee jumped at the chance to volunteer her time and service to the athletes taking part in this year’s games.
“I have a heart for those in need,” said Amy Meade, a post-award contract specialist in the Supplier Operations Original Equipment Manufacturer Directorate. “It was very last minute, but I knew I had the time and figured I’d give it a shot. I applied and didn’t hear anything back for a while. It took so long I removed it from my calendar. Then, 10 days from when I would need to be in Paris I got the word, I was accepted.”
Meade said her role was to help participants make connections and provide assistance at the games.
“Depending on a person’s role, they could be in the country for more than two months,” she said, sharing that new places can be overwhelming. “I had to get out and ensure people knew they had a place to go and a community to support them.
“We also helped visitors find their way to the event spaces, as some of them did not speak French so we were able to bridge the language gap,” Meade said. “We met with refugees new to Paris and gave them information on free language class options to help them feel more at home in their new space.”
As a competitive swimmer in school, Meade said her favorite event was watching the swimming events.
“I felt like I connected with the athletes there,” she said. “I knew how hard things could be, and to watch each athlete compensate and excel blew my mind.”
Meeting the competitors was the highlight for Meade, who said the experience was very rewarding for her.
“The most exciting part was meeting the athletes,” she said. “They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to get Paralympians to the games. Everyone had amazing stories of perseverance that was inspirational.”