2024 Paralympics: Building others up

Ahead of the 2024 Paralympics, Amanda Say (Cwmbran) celebrates the privilege and responsibility we have to encourage each other.

I am eagerly anticipating the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games this week, with a particular interest in the Para Dressage. Many of the riders in the GB team have started their competitive journey via the charity the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA). I am an RDA coach for a very unusual group in West Wales, who specialise in helping disabled riders achieve their competitive ambitions. It is unusual in that two of the three coaches are disabled.

Both my fellow coach and I have competed in both RDA dressage and Para Dressage competitions. My journey to becoming a coach was a challenge as there had been very few coaches that were wheelchair users at that point in time. It was the encouragement of other RDA coaches – including a remarkable and patient Christian lady who gave me considerable amounts of her time and expertise, which helped me on my journey.

There were many obstacles to overcome: how to keep the riding sessions safe as I could not run into the arena if help was required, and how to ensure that the rider could hear me as I would be giving instructions from a raised platform and not close by in the arena.

We have overcome these issues by having an able-bodied volunteer standing in the arena and using a radio mic, which has been particularly successful for riders who are hard of hearing, a visually impaired rider and riders who are neurodivergent. These riders often find it a significant help in being able to concentrate, as it blocks out some of the external stimuli.

My journey in acquiring the skills to become an effective coach is like the journey taken in our Christian lives. It is a path of continuous learning and spiritual growth with the most patient of coaches, Jesus Christ.

Many of our riders have been very successful and this a great joy but I think that it is the journey that is the most rewarding part of coaching, being alongside a rider as they develop their skills, build a relationship with their horse and overcome many challenges.

Likewise, being part of someone’s Christian journey is both a privilege and responsibility. Ephesians 4:2 gives us wise guidance: ‘Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.’

Reflect and respond

• Read Ephesians 4:1–7. How can you share the gifts you have been given to help and build up others?
• ‘Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing’ (1 Thessalonians 5:11 English Standard Version). What opportunities do we have to encourage each other on our respective spiritual journeys?