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Topic: Mind - October 08 2026
Beyond the Para-Athlete Label

Disability is one part of an athlete’s identity, not the whole story. We spoke with VIS Expert, former Paralympian, and Mental Performance Consultant Lacey Henderson, CMPC, about embracing multiple identities and how seeing the whole athlete supports confidence, belonging, and performance in sport.

para
In sport, identity can be a source of strength—but it’s sometimes treated as a barrier. Too often, one part of an athlete’s identity is used to tell their entire story. Para-athletes are frequently asked to fit into systems that were never built for them, and then judged when they don’t. But disability is only one part of an athlete’s identity. When sport makes space for the whole person, athletes don’t become weaker or distracted—they become more confident, more grounded in belongi...
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