Sports activities haven’t solely introduced pleasure to Konrad Debniak, they’ve additionally supplied the 34-year-old Particular Olympics Poland athlete with a way of robust confidence, and the sensation of real equality on the sector.
“After I play sports activities, folks have at all times handled me with dignity, with confidence,” he stated. “By means of my time with Coach Remigiusz Woźniak and Particular Olympics Poland, nobody has ever known as me weaker, inferior, ineffective. Quite the opposite, my friends—it doesn’t matter what skill—deal with me as an athlete. That is good for all of us.”
Konrad contends that his bodily and mental disabilities haven’t restricted him in any approach, however fairly strengthened his skill to adapt and uncover new issues. He speaks typically to the well being advantages that he has gained by way of sustained train and social engagement with Particular Olympics Poland athletes.
“I like being with fellow athletes. It offers me pleasure, motivation, and a sense of achievement. What might be higher?”
Particular Olympics modified Konrad’s life without end
In 2014, after he graduated from a particular college within the metropolis of Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski, Konrad started coaching to be a technician in info expertise. He then proceeded onto an occupational remedy workshop. It was right here that his life, and the lifetime of his household and group, would change without end.
Launched to Particular Olympics Poland’s Szansa Membership in Ostrowiece Swietokrzyski, he started coaching instantly in cross nation snowboarding and Nordic Strolling. “My favorite sports activities are basketball, cross nation snowboarding and soccer.
”Sadly, resulting from my well being situation, there are some sports activities I can not play. Even people who I can play, I have to stay very dilgent to make sure that I don’t compromise my well being.”
Konrad not too long ago spoke on the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Convention in Warsaw early in 2024, the place key discussions targeted on trade relations, the convergence of politics and coverage, and the revolutionary advertising and marketing methods that corporations make use of to share their company social duty. Keynotes and panels marked the headlines, however it was the story of Konrad Debniak that grew to become the spotlight of the nationwide occasion.
Konrad, who proudly carried the Particular Olympics flag on the Opening Ceremony through the Poland Nationwide Video games in Kielce in 2023, expressed that it was his deep sense of nationwide satisfaction that motivated him to be among the many first Particular Olympics Poland athletes to help the in depth nationwide humanitarian effort as Poland welcomed tens of millions of Ukrainian refugees ranging from February 2022.
For a inhabitants that’s typically seen because the beneficiary of service, Konrad speaks to the readability of thought, and grit, that people with mental disabilities have, even in probably the most troublesome of instances.
Konrad’s new narrative of reciprocal help
“The scenario was actually difficult. We did no matter was needed. One by no means is aware of if one thing like that would occur to you in the future, so it was solely proper to assist those that actually wanted it. I nonetheless have contact with the households who’ve since returned to Ukraine.”
“Good comes again,” Konrad added, highlighting how doing good for others has a deliberate approach of returning, representing a optimistic boomerang impact.
This sense of reciprocal help is one thing that defines his new narrative, a storyline made doable by the inclusion motion of Particular Olympics throughout Poland.
“Particular Olympics is implausible for folks with disabilities, and for the entire nation of Poland. We really feel supported by our native communities, our sports activities golf equipment. We’re given alternatives to coach, to compete, but additionally to contribute. By means of Particular Olympics we turn into resilient, harder. We’re serving to make Poland the good nation it’s, and I do know that the athletes of Particular Olympics Poland take nice satisfaction in representing our nation.”