We Need to Celebrate Ability and not Fear Disability

On 8 August, 11 young Bulgarians strode to the centre of Old Trafford cricket ground, during the lunch break of the game between England and India. In front of 25,000 people, they showed off their talents at this most English of games. I am sure it was an experience that none of them will ever forget: the sounds, the smells, the excitement…but not the sight. For these will be partially-sighted and completely blind cricketers.

Bulgaria has a thriving cricket scene, with young Bulgarians learning the game at the National Sports Academy and at various clubs. However, thanks to the determination and passion of two people, Saif Rehman, President of Sofia’s United Cricket Club, and Dr Daniela Milanova, a specialist in Medical Centre for Children with Problems in the Development, Bulgaria has quietly become a world leader in disabled and blind cricket.

Sport has had a transformative effect on these young people. Some of the disabled cricketers have Cerebral Palsy and other serious conditions. When they started the cricket, some could not move or communicate. Yet even in the most seriously affected, there is improvement: a move of the hands towards the ball; an ability to control the bat.

Best of all, disabled cricket has given them a purpose and self-confidence. When they wear their kits, they know they are going to do something they enjoy and which they are applauded for. They are going to laugh and smile and work together. People are going to see what they can do; not focus on what they cannot do.

This is surely the key to how we, as a society, treat all our children, able-bodied or disabled. We need to celebrate ability. We must not fear disability or – worse – lock the disabled away out of sight and out of mind.

Those blind cricketers represented Bulgaria on the international stage. I hope, like me, Bulgarians are proud of what they achieved and what they can do.