Athletes prove that impossible is nothing

Since the moment, nearly two weeks ago, when Professor Stephen Hawking, astrophysicist and occasional Simpsons guest, arrived in his space-age chair at London’s Olympic Stadium to take part in the opening ceremony of the Paralympics, we have seen the very best of the human spirit.

These last days of summer have shown us again and again humanity’s capacity to rise above whatever challenges life throws at us. It was impossible not to be inspired, and often moved in a deep and almost disturbing way, by the achievements of those who decided to prevail even if life made that ambition far, far more of a challenge than it might usually be.

The joie de vivre, the warmth and dignity, the pride in realising goals many of us might put aside if we faced the difficulties our Paralympians face every day, was life-affirming and chastening.