Peter Waddup, CEO - The Leprosy Mission Great Britain

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On Wednesday the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games begin! More than 4,000 athletes from 180 countries will compete in 549 events in the French capital. I am so excited for this special fortnight of sport, especially after having the privilege of being at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. I was so uplifted to be at the opening ceremony and on the finishing line when sprinter Jonnie Peacock won his 100m gold on home soil.

It is often debated whether we should describe Paralympians as 'inspirational'. Some people argue that it hides their athletic accomplishment. But I personally find the Paralympics truly inspirational for showcasing just what is possible in life! Our Vice-President Paralympian Stef Reid is of a similar mindset when it comes to the 'inspirational' label. In fact, she says it is a disservice to Paralympians if we just talk about their sporting career.

Stef says there has to be a reason why someone would watch a Paralympian run the 100 metres in 11 seconds when an Olympian can run it in 9.5 seconds. And that she says is the power of an individual athlete's story. She says the London 2012 Games, where she won silver in the T44 long jump, were a real turning point in changing attitudes towards disability. A landmark Games where para sport finally got the focus it deserves.

With every Olympics and Paralympics, I long to see the inclusion of a person affected by leprosy. But unjustly, this group of millions is unrepresented in any event on the global stage. Creating Olympians and Paralympians not only takes individual graft and determination, but investment and opportunity. The opportunity and investment that sadly isn't there for people affected by leprosy. These are some of the poorest and most marginalised people on the planet. People who have very few opportunities or life choices, regardless of their talents.

Stef saw the stark reality of this during a visit to Anandaban Hospital in Nepal a few years ago. Although she has overcome a great deal of adversity herself, her time at our hospital was a reminder of the opportunities that had come her way.

Stef lost her lower leg in a boating accident aged 15, devastating the young sports fan's dreams. She believed the door to professional sport was closed to her until her time at university when she dared to take to the athletics track again. After that there was no stopping the tenacious athlete! Yet meeting a young man at Anandaban who had lost his lower legs to leprosy really stopped Stef in her tracks.

Santosh was withdrawn and could not make eye contact with anyone on the hospital ward. His feelings of rejection and deep depression were palpable. He made polite conversation with Stef through the help of a translator. But it was only when Stef took off her own prosthetic leg that his eyes lit up and he smiled! There was an instant connection between the two of them, one that surpassed nationality, culture and language. They both knew of the pain and feelings of despair that each other had endured. Please see the special moment in this clip where Santosh recognises that he and Stef have something in common.

It was this bond that encouraged Stef to serve as Vice-President of The Leprosy Mission. It made her look at her own state-of-the-art prosthetic limb and the opportunities she had to achieve her true potential. She wanted this for everyone. We are truly grateful to Stef for her support and for her sharing her own story to encourage others. We would love to thank our amazing UK supporters too for giving Santosh two bespoke prosthetic legs so that he can now walk again! This is the sort of opportunity we would love to bring to everyone disabled by leprosy.

We've come a long way since 2012 in the UK in terms of breaking down barriers for people with disabilities. Although there is a long way to go until we achieve full inclusivity, attitudes to disability are undoubtedly improving. Sadly this isn't the case in many of the communities where we work. Without the use of mobility aids and wheelchairs, people affected by leprosy can be left completely housebound. I find this devastating as it is a relatively easy problem to fix and it can transform a life.

I pray that the ripple effect of the Paralympics will somehow reach country and community leaders, as well as people's hearts in the UK. That there will be a desire to reach those who have few life chances because of a disability. I pray that everyone will have the opportunity to be the best they can be and clinch the gold they truly deserve.