Google honours ‘founder of the paralympic movement’ Ludwig Guttmann with a doodle – Times of India
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Born on July 3, 1899, the German-born British neurologist established the Paralympic Games in England. He is considered to be one of the founding fathers of organised physical activities for people with a disability.
It is as a result of his efforts that right now, Paralympic athletes are acknowledged for his or her abilities and achievements.
Today, Paralympic athletes are rightfully recognized for their skills and achievements. The Paralympic Games continue to be a driving force for promoting the rights and independence of people with disabilities, with a lasting impact on equal treatment and opportunity.
Interestingly, Guttmann was a Jewish doctor who had fled Nazi Germany just before the Second World War.
In early 1939, Guttmann and his family left Germany because of the Nazi persecution of the Jews and was able to escape to England.
In England, Guttmann advanced his research in paraplegia. In 1944, he put his innovative approach into practice as the national Spinal Injuries Center director at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
In 1948, he organized a 16-person archery contest, one of the first official competitive sporting events for wheelchair users. Later called the “Stoke Mandeville Games” or the “Olympics for the Disabled,” the competition demonstrated the power of elite sport to break down barriers for disability and garnered the attention of global medical and sporting communities.
In 1961, Guttmann founded the International Medical Society of Paraplegia, now the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS); he was the inaugural president of the society, a position that he held until 1970.
He became the first editor of the journal, Paraplegia (now named Spinal Cord). He retired from clinical work in 1966 but continued his involvement with the sport.
After retirement, ‘Poppa G’, as he was affectionately known to those close to him, turned to horticulture. He once grew a couple of massive broccoli in his back garden and was renowned for his mangetout wall.
Guttmann suffered a heart attack in October 1979 and died on March 18, 1980 at the age of 80.
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