Sierra Leone’s Paralympian: Disability is NOT a Barrier

Mr George Wyndham, one of Sierra Leone’s most decorated para-athlete, with 17 awards to his credit met with UN Resident Coordinator (RC) Mr Babatunde Ahonsi, informing him that his disability has never been a barrier to achieving his lifelong goals.

Mr Wyndham who will be going to the Tokyo Olympics was at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office at Fourah Bay Close in Freetown today for a preparatory meeting of an upcoming online events about the SDGs.

The RC was very pleased to meet with Mr Wyndham and commended the Table Tennis, Track and Field, and Badminton para-athlete for his tireless advocacy for an inclusive society that leaves no one behind. The RC stressed the commitment of the UN to working for the empowerment and protection of the rights of those living with disability including in ensuring that they are full beneficiaries and active agents of the development process. For the RC, “empowerment of persons with disability is critical” for the advancement of sustainable development in Sierra Leone.

Mr Wyndham’s main aim is to help those living with disability, especially those living in the streets of Freetown and other cities in the country. He affirmed the RC’s point on the importance of disability inclusion.

Mr Wyndham also met UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Ms Rokya Ye Dieng. He thanked her for the support UNDP provided for him to participate in the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “Through UNDP, I was able to get the right wheel-chair for the games, an air ticket and per-diem, and for that, I am grateful,” he told Ms Dieng. He also expressed his interest in contributing to UNDP’s advocacy efforts on disability issues. 

Mr Wyndham also catalogued the numerous contributions he has made to the persons with disability community through his previous work with UNDP. This includes a three-month stint on COVID-19 sensitization with a local non-governmental organization, One-Family.

Mr Wydnham, who was six years old when he became disabled due to polio currently resides in a makeshift office at the National Stadium in Freetown. Without a job, he depends on handouts from friends and well-wishers to take care of himself and his almost two-year-old daughter. Yet, Mr Wyndham has represented Sierra Leone in the Commonwealth Games, the Paralympics, the All-Africa Games, and the World Championship, winning silver and bronze medals.