LET'S admit it. Many of us are attitudinally disabled.

That's why we think the Beijing Summer Games is the real deal. And the Paralympics is a joke.

But if the Olympics is all about a fighting and sporting spirit, then it's the Paralympics that comes first.


Here are incredible athletes who fight against all the odds.

Missing or malformed limbs. No sight. It doesn't get any more challenging than this.

That is why it was so heartwarming to see and hear 91,000 people roar at the Bird's Nest on Saturday night to the fireworks above.

One burst after another, counting down the final 10 seconds to 8pm and announcing the opening of the 13th Paralympic Games in Beijing.

The spirit symbolised by the Olympic flame burned on from the 2008 Olympic Games that ended a fortnight ago.

There was no mistaking the stars of show - the disabled contingents making their entrance early in the opening ceremony.

In all, there are 4,168 disabled athletes - a record number - from 147 participating countries and regions. Over the coming days, they will compete in 472 events from 20 sports.

Singapore's contingent included nine officials and three athletes led by flag-bearer Theresa Goh, who is favoured to land at least a swimming medal.

Handpicked

Compared to the opening of the able-bodied version of the Games, organisers touched the crowd in a different way in Saturday night's event.

It involved performances by many dancers and singers handpicked from China's 83 million disabled people.

In one item, 320 deaf dancers - directed by trainers using sign language - would have put many able-bodied people to shame with their near-flawless routine.

Blind pianist Jin Yuanhui also provided a spellbinding moment, tinkling the ivory to an admiring crowd as his mother looked on lovingly from a bench near him.

The highlight of the night was when a Chinese Paralympian hauled himself - and his wheelchair - up the entire height of the stadium to light the Paralympic torch.

Yes, in an arena where Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt stormed to three gold medals, most of the stars now present would have trouble walking even in a straight line.

But their spirits shoot straight like a silver arrow. And in my book, that's what counts.

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i think the writer wrote this really well.
and has a gd point too.

btw,
for hot seats:

success!
lolz.

I CAN"T BELIEVE IT WE DID NOT MAKE ANY MISTAKES!!
omg omg.
except:

i had to look at the script
I had no emotions.
i couldn't answer the questions given to me in complete(and sensible) setences.

I SCREWED UP EVERYTHING.
but my group was quite cool about it.
lolz.

it's over.
i just have to do well in my SA now.
shall post till here.
bb!