Blog: 'Sport keeps you fit, healthy and helps you make friends'

This week, the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) and National Disability Sport Organisations (NDSOs) mark Universal Children’s Day. Children with a range of impairments explain just why they love sport and physical activity, and why you should too.

Universal Children’s Day blog:

George, Cerebral Palsy Sport

The sport I play is football. When I was little I couldn't walk and I had to use a K Frame. Ever since I got off the frame I always give 110% and try harder and never give in. I never think I can't do something - I try harder and always have a go.

Football makes me feel happy because I'm doing what I love.

People should play sport because it's a great thing to do, it means you exercise and it keeps you fit. You never know, you might make a career out of it!

Amara, Dwarf Sports Association UK

My favourite sport is cycling. I like to cycle as often as I can because you can be sitting down while still exercising and you can get to places much faster and further than walking or running.

This year I have also done swimming, fencing, archery, canoeing, dodgeball, new age kurling, wheelchair basketball and roller skating.

I can go a lot further on my bike and don’t feel tired as quickly. Sometimes I like to go really fast as it’s exciting. Another reason I like cycling is because it’s something I can do with my brother, mum and dad. We live near a cycle path and in the spring and summer we like to cycle down to the path onto the promenade and play on the beach.

I like the challenges of different sports and love to try new things. In the school holidays I went to Morecambe Football Club summer football school. I tried very hard during the training sessions and although my team didn’t win the final match I won a trophy for player of the week.

Rio, LimbPower

I like lots of different sports - I play football, wheelchair basketball, tennis, paddle tennis, cricket and I love swimming and running. I really like ball games - that's why I love football and wheelchair basketball! I love running fast on the track and on the football pitch.

Playing sport makes me feel very happy - I like being part of a team.

I went to the London 2012 Paralympics, and I really liked watching the people with special legs running. I always go to the WheelPower Primary Sport Camp and to the LimbPower Junior Games at Stoke Mandeville - it's really fun to try all the different sports there and to see my friends who have special arms and special legs like me.

I think people should play sport because it makes you feel great and strong and healthy.

Sam, Special Olympics Great Britain

I enjoy horse riding and I’ve recently come back from Los Angeles where I was part of the GB equestrian team - the youngest in the team by seven years. I won a gold and two silver medals.

I also play rugby for a local team – I love it.

I really like the relationship I have with the horse when riding and competing, and the sense of being part of an extended team when playing rugby.

When I’m horse riding I wish my lesson could go on forever, and when I play rugby I love the team spirit and doing the best I can to win.

People should play sport because it keeps you fit and healthy and helps you make friends. Sport has given me confidence and makes me feel good about myself. If you work hard and try your best you can achieve your dreams.

Thomas, Cerebral Palsy Sport

I love the freedom of being able to run just like other children, except I use a Racerunner to help me.

Racerunning helps my legs - I’ve built up confidence in myself and I get to meet so many children who are just like me. I’ve also made new friends.

Sport can make such a difference to how you feel about yourself.

Kare, WheelPower

I  participate in wheelchair racing and my events are the 100m-1500m. I feel free when I race. I enjoy the feeling of going fast and being able to focus on myself and how my body is moving in rhythm.

My sporting highlight has to be the IPC World Championships in Doha, Qatar, earlier this year. I got bronze in both the 400m and 800m - I was really pleased with the races considering the other athletes are more experienced than me.

I think people should play sport because sport is more than a physical activity. It is for your mental wellbeing too - it makes you think. It is also a great distraction after school or work, and it gives me something to focus on. It also gives me discipline that I can apply to school.

I have made some great friends through sport and it has given me confidence.

Teejay, LimbPower

I take part is in and try as many different sports as I can. I am currently training with Portsmouth Amputee Football team as well as junior sitting volleyball training.

The sports that I play at school include tag ruby and basketball. Other sports that I have tried and have enjoyed are badminton, tennis, athletics and wheelchair basketball, as well as some different sports such as abseiling, cycling, climbing walls, karate and even canoeing!

Sport gives me the feeling of being happy and healthy. I find that when things are a bit hard that sport gives me a positive boost and makes feel that I have accomplished something, and it gives me a feeling of being accepted and that when I am playing sports nothing else matters.

I think people should play as much sport as they can as it keeps you healthy and happy and makes you feel accepted and included, especially in a team. It makes things positive instead of negative.

Lexie, UK Deaf Sport (via National Deaf Children's Society)

I play a lot of football. I prefer it now that I play twice a week – that's two matches a week to look forward to.

It makes me feel happy and I’ve made new friends from different schools. I also play alongside a girl from my school class who is really nice and helpful – she fills in the gaps with things I can't hear.

I don’t feel different playing football and no-one treats me any different. On the pitch, I’m just Lexie.

Anya, British Blind Sport

I play football because it is loads of fun.  

I feel excited and full of energy when I put on my football kit. Once, I was taken with my dad to White Hart Lane, the home of Tottenham Hotspur, the team I support. It was my birthday, in August of this year, and I had a brilliant time.

People should play sport because it keeps you fit, it is healthy and it's great fun.

Megan, Dwarf Sports Association

I participate in athletics including track and field events, and I also swim at National and International championships -  I train six times a week including early morning sessions.

When I am participating in my chosen sports, I feel unrestricted and forget about my disability and focus on getting better each time.

I think people should participate in sport as it is great for fitness and makes you focused not only in sporting competitions but on everyday life, such as school where I like to achieve high grades in my subjects. 

Sport is a great way of making friends and it is good to travel all over the country to take part in events and be part of a team.

There are eight National Disability Sport Organisations (NDSOs) recognised by EFDS, who provide opportunities for people with specific impairments to take part in sport and physical activity. There are: British Blind Sport, Cerebral Palsy Sport, Dwarf Sport Association UK, English Learning Disability Sports Alliance (Mencap Sport and Special Olympics Great Britain), LimbPower, UK Deaf Sport and WheelPower.