Ben Lucas: ‘Sport is a powerful rehabilitation tool’
Paralympian Ben Lucas, who works for ACC as our Lead Disability Advisor, is proud of the partnership we have with Paralympics New Zealand and can’t wait for the Para action to get going in Paris.
Former Para athlete and leading administrator Ben Lucas says there’s no event in the world like the Paralympic Games.
“It's just amazing,” the 58-year-old says.
“You've got ordinary, everyday Kiwis who’ve got extra challenges in life. To see what people can do with what they might be missing from a physical or cognitive perspective is absolutely amazing.”
As the New Zealand team gets ready for Paris, Ben says there’s no shortage of storylines.
New Zealand will try to back up an extraordinary effort from the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago, when it came home with an impressive tally of 12 medals (six gold, three silver and three bronze).
Behind every story is a person who’s shown incredible resilience and commitment.
“For example, the likes of Anna Grimaldi excelling in the long jump and heading to Paris trying to win her third gold medal,” Ben says.
“To see Holly Robinson [Women’s Javelin F46], who I knew from when she was 12-years-old, to become flagbearer in Rio and medal.
“And to see the likes of Scott Martlew [Para canoe], who I first met about a week after he got discharged from hospital. To follow the human stories just blows your mind and there’s many more.
“Every time, I come away from the Paralympics just a little bit different, whether I’m there in person or watching back home. It’s just amazing.”
Ben Lucas after receiving his Paralympic pin, awarded to those who've represented New Zealand.
A life of Paralympics dedication
New Zealand’s Paralympian No 99 should know just how special the Paralympics are.
Ben’s been around the Paralympics for more than 30 years.
He’s done it all. He competed for New Zealand for 10 years in wheelchair racing and represented his country at two Paralympic Games.
He was captain for the New Zealand Paralympic team at both Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000. He was also Chef de Mission for the highly-successful New Zealand team at Rio 2016.
He’s been a board member and administrator, and was also chief executive officer of the New Zealand Spinal Trust.
He worked as a sports development manager at ParaFed Canterbury and was instrumental in setting up an academy programme, which supports the success of many Canterbury Para athletes.
“I’ve spent a huge amount of my life supporting this event and these athletes,” Ben says.
“To see someone come back to the village with a medal around their neck is just such a special moment. It’s awesome to shake their hand or give them a hug, because you know how much work has gone into achieving that medal.”
Ben Lucas during his days representing New Zealand in wheelchair racing.
‘My heart was bursting with pride’
Ben has a couple of standout highlights from a remarkable life.
Being the flag bearer at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney and leading the New Zealand team out to a sold-out Homebush Stadium was one of them.
The other was when Mark Inglis, who Ben had helped support in his Paralympics dream, won a silver medal in Para cycling in Sydney.
After receiving his medal, Mark came back to the village to find his mentor.
“He put the medal around my neck and said: ‘This is just as much yours as it as mine mate.’ It was such a proud moment. My heart just about burst through my chest.”
The power of sport
Ben says sport is a powerful rehabilitation tool.
Aged 24, he crashed his motorbike into a u-turning van and broke his L3 lumbar vertebrae, which left him paralysed.
He has vivid memories of that day in Newmarket and the doctor telling him he would never walk again.
He was admitted to the Auckland Spinal Unit and remembers the fear he felt going home to Blenheim.
“You wake up the next day and go, ‘Oh, my God, this is real. What’s my life going be like, everything’s changed.’ There’s a real fear of the unknown.”
Ben says a constant throughout his career was the incredible support he received from the Blenheim community.
“They were so good to me. I was so proud to represent my region on the world stage. And when I won a bronze medal [in the wheelchair marathon at the 1994 Commonwealth Games], the support went to another level.
“I knew with that success came the responsibility to give back.”
He says getting into sport helped him immensely.
“Getting back into sport made me feel normal again. It gave me a sense of hope and purpose.”
Providing support to Para athletes
Ben now works for ACC as our Lead Disability Advisor.
He’s proud of the partnership we have with Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ). ACC supports the Para Sport Collective, a three-year initiative created by PNZ that supports pre-high performance Para athletes and coaches to achieve their goals.
“I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Para Sport Collective,” Ben says.
“It’s giving Para athletes much needed support and direction so they can chase their dream of one day becoming a Paralympian.”
He has simple advice for any New Zealanders with a disability who are considering chasing their Paralympics dream.
“Give it everything you have, there’s no half measures. If you want to be a Paralympian, you have to work incredibly hard and make some sacrifices to achieve that goal.
“In the end, it’s worth it. I’ve met some incredible people and have been all around the world with my sport and I’m so grateful to have had those opportunities.”
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
The 2024 Paralympic Games take place in Paris from 28 August to 8 September, you can follow the action live on TVNZ.
