Wanganui-based broadcaster Michael Laws is refusing to be drawn into debate over controversial comments he made on his talkback radio show about paralympic athletes and the Halberg Awards.
One awards judge, a Wanganui advocate for people with disabilities, the head of Paralympics New Zealand and Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia have spoken out against comments made by Mr Laws on Friday.
The head of the world Paralympic organisation said Mr Laws had stooped to a "pathetic low" by describing disability sports as "ludicrous" and should be taken off the air.
During his talkback show, Mr Laws said it was "crazy" that disabled sports people were able to compete for the Halberg Awards saying "If you have had your legs chopped off, you shouldn't be in there at all."
Laws was also critical of Paralympian slalom skier Adam Hall who got up and won a gold medal after dramatically falling over at the Vancouver Paralympics last year. "The fact the guy was able to fall down, get up again and still win, shows that really there wasn't a hell of a lot of competition in his field, was there?" he said.
When contacted by the Chronicle yesterday, Mr Laws refused to comment on the issue. He described the story as "a Herald on Sunday beat-up and people have reacted to the beat-up and not the Radio Live show which contained excellent discussion on the Halberg Awards".
In discussion on his Facebook page Mr Laws claimed: "I didn't attack disabled/IHC athletes. I said it was ludicrous they were up for (the) SAME awards as able bodied."
Halberg Awards judge and Wanganui sporting icon Ron Cheatley is "disgusted" by Mr Laws' comments.
"I've seen Paralympians in action and the pain and effort they put into their sport goes way beyond that of healthy athletes. They also have to deal with issues on a daily basis that healthy athletes don't have to," Mr Cheatley said.
"Quite frankly I'm disgusted by his comments. I don't think he's ever witnessed a Paralympic event. These guys are inspirational to coaches and athletes and that's what the Halberg Awards are about. Michael Laws is a sideshow and the only one buying tickets is himself," Mr Cheatley said.
Mr Cheatley is a two-time winner of the Halberg Award as a cycling coach and is also judge for the emerging talent award category.
Paralympics New Zealand chairman Mark Copeland said rather than get all bitter and twisted the organisation would extend an offer to fly Mr Laws to a paralympic event anywhere in New Zealand so he could witness it first hand.
"I'm sure he hasn't even been to a Paralympic event. We are offering to fly Mr Laws to an event anywhere in the country at our expense so he can witness it first hand and then I'm sure he wouldn't be making these comments," Mr Copeland said.
Robert Martin, a world acclaimed speaker for self advocacy for people with disabilities, described the comments as very rude. "Mr Laws himself could have an accident and become disabled at any time. I think he should walk in the shoes of someone with a disability. People with disabilities have to make incredible sacrifices to enable them to achieve in life. People with disabilities have the right to be included in all aspects of life. I think Mr Laws' ignorance will always be his downfall."
Mrs Turia said she was deeply disappointed and saddened by recent comments from a media commentator criticising disabled sportspeople. "We should be enabling people to participate in all aspects of life rather than marginalising them because they have a disability. All such comments end in doing is to create a disabling society, where individuals are limited by prejudice and ignorance."
"Improving attitudes and behaviours towards disabled people will ensure that people with disabilities can live their lives in a way which enables them to be the best that they can be - rather than being constrained by the judgments of others."
International Paralympic Committee president Sir Philip Craven, said he was "utterly disgusted" by Laws' comments, which were an insult to all Paralympic competitors.
Sir Philip urged people to write to RadioWorks and the New Zealand Broadcasting Authority to highlight make their views known.
RadioWorks programme director Jana Rangooni said the station had received 13 complaints, including one from Sir Phillip.
"It's a beat-up" - Michael Laws
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