By IW Observer.co.uk
Organisers of TEDxLukelyBrook have announced that paralympian, Will Perry, will be taking to the stage on March 2 to give his TEDtalk ‘Challenges of a Paralympian’.
Will is an acclaimed paralympic swimmer, competing at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and 2021 European Championships. He is five times British Record Holder and National Champion. He trains at Northampton Swimming Club under head coach, Andy Sharp, and alongside fellow Paralympian, Maisie Summers-Newton.
As a paralympian, Will works tirelessly to pursue his passion and inspire people around the world to reach their full potential. He lives with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism which results in short upper arms and thighs. Will brings a story of success to TEDxLukelyBrook, but one that also challenges behaviour and attitudes towards people with conditions of dwarfism and provides an important pause for thought.
Will has received significant media attention over recent weeks, including interviews on BBC and ITV stemming from a social media post from him that went viral, in which he spoke frankly about being verbally abused because of his dwarfism. In it he asked: “Do you know what it’s like to be looked at and laughed at every single day?”
His powerful talk at TEDxLukelyBrook will reflect on how the challenges of being a paralympian are tough, but can be much harder away from the pool. He’s asking the question ‘Why?’ and calling for society to challenge behaviour.
TEDxLukelyBrook brings people together to be inspired by sharing ideas worth spreading from the Isle of Wight to the world. The carefully selected line-up of speakers are all leaders in their field, forward thinkers interpreting the event theme of ‘If not now, when?’ from their unique point of view and personal experiences.
The event will be live-streamed to a global audience, with recordings added to the TEDx YouTube channel which has over 32 million subscribers.
TEDxLukelyBrook is an independently-produced, not-for-profit event, operated under a license from TED. The event’s main sponsor is WightFibre.
Tickets, including some ‘Early Bird’ tickets at reduced cost, are now available through tedxlukelybrook.com. They include a full day of live TEDtalks in the theatre, access to the Conversation Area, a ‘Meet the Speakers’ event plus complimentary refreshments throughout the day including a light lunch.
Isle of Wight Observer