I think there is a really strong message sent when you see someone who has a relatively heavy disability such as mine, who puts themselves forward for shoots, for photos, for videos – In France, we are too far from other countries from accepting differences”
Theo Curin (CNN Sports)
Young Paralympian Theo Curin from France competed last in the 2016 Paralympic games in Rio, where he was the youngest French athlete in all of the Paralympic games. He was diagnosed with a rare bacterial disease at the age of six, forcing the amputation of all four of his limbs. Such an operation would create a very large setback for most, but not Curin. He hasn’t allowed his disability to hold him back in any way, as he has achieved the honour of representing France at the highest level.
Curin began swimming at a young age after meeting his mentor and French para-athlete also, Philippe Croizon, who encouraged him to begin swimming. After trying out the new sport, Curin eventually demonstrated a great level of skill, and a pure sense of interest in the aquatic sport to go with it. Curin feels like a new version of himself as he says, “When I am in the water, I have the impression that my disability has disappeared. I have no prosthetics, no wheelchair. I am like everybody else”.
Curin hopes to qualify and compete in the 2020 Paralympic games where he can again prove that there are no barriers that can stop him. He is acting as a constant role-model to those with disability, that anything is possible. Curin poses in his different photo shoots in France showing that his body is acceptable and that he is a regular athlete.
kyle9mcdonald
