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Step 1
Realize that the Paralympic committee is looking for you! They are constantly working harder in developing committees that will help reach out to all the little communities to find athletes with an interest in the competition. They are looking for athletes who are blind or visually impaired, to athletes with amputated limbs or similar impairments, to athletes with spinal cord injuries and athletes who have motor impairments due to cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, or stroke. In certain sports, athletes with other physical disabilities may also compete.
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Step 2
Register with the closest local organization that hosts your sport. There are twenty two different sports showcased in this year's event: archery, athletics, boccia, bowls, cycling, equestrian, football 5-a-side, football 7-a-side, goal ball, judo, power lifting, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, volleyball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair dance sport, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair tennis. If you log onto their website, they have a database of all the organizations within your area.
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Step 3
Get involved with training and competition. There are many hurdles and events that will need to challenge you to see if you qualify for Olympic status. There are national organizations for each of the sports competing this year (2008) in Beijing. Certain physical and medical classifications will have to be met depending on the sport you are involved with.
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Step 4
Don't give up. You will find there are many other paralympians who are staying in the field to help encourage those like yourself who want to work up to the Paralympics from whom you can gain great friendships and inspiration. Once you start heading in the right direction, there will be people all along the way to encourage, direct and sponsor you. If you do not know where to start, then click on the 'Contact us' link at the bottom of the US paralympic team site, and send them an email explaining your circumstances.
