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Portrait of Professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann
©Eva Loeffler
From the very first sporting event at the National Spinal Injuries Centre in 1948, my father said he wanted the Olympics for the disabled. His dream and pioneering vision certainly came true.
Eva Loeffler OBE, daughter of Professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann
Professor Sir Ludwig 'Poppa' Guttmann CBE FRS is known as the father of the Paralympic movement. He was the medical pioneer who proved that disabled sport could be as competitive and exciting as non-disabled sport.
Guttmann was born in Tost, Germany (now Toszek, Poland) on this day, 3 July 1899 and went on to receive his M.D. in 1924.
Google Doodle Professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann's 122nd Birthday
artist: Ashanti Fortson
Google Doodle:
Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Baltimore-based guest artist Ashanti Fortson, celebrates the 122nd birthday of Jewish, German-born British neurologist Professor Sir Ludwig “Poppa” Guttmann, founder of the Paralympic movement.
The Doodle shows various paralympic athletes along with a picture of Sir Ludwig Guttmann.
credits: unknown
via Dictionary of Neurology
He began research on spinal cord injuries and performed several neurosurgical procedures, rising to prominence as one of Germany’s top neurosurgeons by his early thirties.
However, with the rise of the Nazi party and the passing of the Nuremberg Laws in 1933, Guttmann was prevented from practising medicine professionally. Following Kristallnacht in 1938 and the increasing persecution of Jews in Germany, Guttmann was forced to leave Germany with his family and was able to escape to England in 1939.
Stoke Mandeville Games/Olympics for Disable
credits: unknown
via BBC Mundo
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.
Guttmann presenting gold medal to Tony South at the 1968 Summer Paralympics in Tel Aviv
In 1960, Guttmann facilitated the International Stoke Mandeville Games, following the 1960 Summer Olympics, the first of many Paralympic Games.
He received numerous accolades for his contributions, the highest among which was being knighted by Her Majesty the Queen in 1966.
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.
Paralympic games, London 2012
credits: Getty Images
via BBC/ Mundo
Resouces:
Founder of the Paralympic Movement, Professor Sir Ludwig Guttmann was the medical pioneer who created the first Paralympic Games.
Invite your students in-person lessons or remote learning to learn more about his story and legacy on Google Arts & Culture.
Oops! I forgot to write about the posts of April, and May. Let's do it ! The world continues to be affected by severe pandemic restrictions. In so many countries schools are always closed or reopen and reclosed schools. Millions of students don't have access to in-person lessons.
In Portugal, in-person classes with hybrid teaching finished last days of June. Only Secondary schools and Universities continue for the exams.
Here are the most popular posts of April:
There are strict measures to deal with the new wave coronavirus across European countries and other continents.
Many involve the reintroduction of restrictions that had been eased after initial lockdowns.
Be safe! Take care!
G-Souto
01.07.2021
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