Help Support Massage Therapy At The Paralympics

Source:  http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/

I'm sure you've noticed that the 2012 Olympics are going on right now.  But did you know that on August 29 the Paralympics begin?  The Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event where athletes with a physical disability compete; this includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy.  








To get an idea of how awesome this is, check out this video.

Cindy Iwlew (left) & Paralympic Massage Therapist Jennifer Tamang (right).

My friend and fellow massage therapist, Jen Tamang, will be volunteering her services at the London games.  She's going to honor us with a special guest blog post afterward sharing her experience with us!

Parkview Shoppes business owner has been selected as a specialist volunteer to represent the Kalamazoo area at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England.

Along with other health professionals from around the world, Jennifer Tamang, Owner and Licensed Massage Therapist of Balance Massage & Bodywork, has the privilege once again to work with the elite athletes at the Paralympic Games as a Sports Massage Practitioner on the Olympic Medical Team.   Jennifer was handpicked through the rigorous selection process by the London Games Organizing Committee based on her qualifications and experience with massage therapy since 1997.                         

The 2012 London Olympic Games will be held July 27 – August 12 with the Paralympic Games held August 29 – September 9. All the 2012 Olympic volunteers are known as a “Games Maker”. Most of the events have been specifically modified for the Paralympic Games. These athletes compete in events such as seated volleyball, goalball, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, tandem cycling and boccia ball to name just a few of the 21 sports associated with the Paralympic Games.  With nearly  5,000 athletes representing 152 countries, the Paralympics are the second largest sporting event in the world!  

                                   

The Sports Massage Practitioners will be providing therapeutic massage services to the athletes with the goal of repairing and prepping their muscles to help optimize performance. The Paralympic athletes present a unique challenge to the Sports Massage Practitioners as they may be blind, in wheel chairs or missing limbs.  It’s awesome to listen to the incredible stories of how these men and women overcame their disabilities from sporting, congenital or military injuries and then go on to compete against like-minded athletes on an international scale.        

                                            

This will be Jennifer’s second international volunteer opportunity with Olympic Games the first experience came at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.  The Paralympic Games unfortunately tend to receive only condensed coverage and the athletes do not receive much recognition as world class athletes due to their “disabilities”.  They are nothing less than extraordinary, though!

Although, it is a distinct honor to be chosen as a Specialist Volunteer with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, each Games Maker provides their services unpaid.  All travel, accommodations and additional expenses must be covered independently by the volunteer.

If you would like to show your support for Jennifer in her efforts to assist these athletes in competing for gold, donations are graciously accepted.  Even a small amount can make a big difference!  Make a donation of $12 and you'll receive this awesome one of a kind pin :-)

If you happen to be in Kalamazoo, Michigan for the Art Hop this Friday, August 3:
Look for Jen and local therapists: Pam Tucker, of Massage Kalamazoo; Sarah Lendardson, of Ambrosia Massage; Stacey MacDonald; and Amanda Brierty offering chair massage to help raise donations.
(They'll be in front of Gazelle's).

 And be on the lookout for a great blog post from Jen after she gets back from London!  Do you have any specific questions for Jen about her experience at the Paralympics?  Leave them in the comments and she can answer them in her upcoming post!

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com