Sir Ludwig Guttmann's Impact

"If I ever did one good thing in my medical career, it was to introduce sport into the treatment and rehabilitation programme of spinal cord sufferers and other severly disabled."  (Ludwig Guttmann quoted by Joan Scruton in Paraplegia)

Ludwig Guttmann was knighted in 1966 by Queen Elizabeth for his accomplishments. In 1967 he retired from the National Health Service. He continued to remain active, lecturing on his treatment philosophies and leading many disabled sports organizations. He also helped raise money for the Stoke Mandeville Sports Stadium, which he ran till his death in 1980. 

"Throughout the centuries, the medical profession seems to be possessed by the idea that nothing or little could be done for these unforunate members of the community. They did not present a social problem as their life expentancy was minimal, and the few who did survive were thrown on the human scrap heap into institutions or hospitals for incurables with no incentive or facilities for a life of activity and purpose. It is essential to remind ourselves and society of these dark times, who today in many countries take modern approach to this complex problem of medicine and humanity for granted." (Ludwig Guttmann, Paraplegia)

Guttmann's innovative treatment strategies of creating specialized spinal care units, inter-disciplinary comprehensive management and care, and physical rehabilitation with a daily sports program, transformed the lives of countless paraplegic patients and they are still practiced today. Known as the "Father of the Paralympic Movement," Guttmann believed that disability is not an obstacle in sports or life, and his vision was brought to light by the Stoke Mandeville Games and the Paralympic Games.

"Paralympics, have played and continue to have a major role in the integraion of paralyzed persons into the community. The sight of fit, young people competing in wheelchairs, winning Olympic medals, has changed the public perception of wheelchair users throughout the world. This together with his concept of managing patients with spinal cord injuries in integrated, dedicated spinal injuries units, remains Sir Ludwig Guttmann's greatest legacy." (HL Frankel, Spinal Cord)

The significance of the Paralympic Games has spread far beyond medical science and entertainment. The Games have broken the barriers of the world's misperceptions and attitudes towards the disabled. They prove the disabled are not weak or fragile; instead, they validate that the disabled can become equal members of society. The Paralympics are a symbol of hope, unity, and inclusion, and we have Ludwig Guttmann to thank for that. 

"Sir Ludwig who recognised the revolution he had started in the whole outlook of such severely disabled people, and had the vision to see that through the potentialities of sport one day our paralysed sportsmen and sportswomen would be holding their own 'Olympic Games' which would win the respect of governments and the public throughout the whole world."

"But, above all, our international games for the disabled have had unparalleled success in bringing home to medical, paramedical organisations and the general public alike that a severe disability is no barrier to respected citizenship and that with the modern methods of treatment and rehabilitation even those with spinal cord injuries and other severe disabilities can become useful members of society." (Joan Scruton, Paraplegia)

Ludwig Guttmann Speaks at the Opening Ceremony, Paralympics Australia