Kenyan Para athelete Stency Neema

Global cultural moments, such as the Paralympics, have the ability to amplify inclusion outside of sport. The Global Disability Innovation Hub itself is a legacy of London 2012 – and as part of our AT2030 programme funded by UK International Development we have continued to explore how sport and culture can unite visionary leadership and innovative thinking to change lives and drive impact globally. 

We know that Assistive Technologies support diverse participation, but that inclusion is founded in disability awareness and the reduction of stigma. To accelerate change we need greater awareness and visibility of Para sport, with dissemination an important priority in Low- and Middle- Income Countries.  

Alongside Paris 2024 we explored innovative mechanisms to amplify para sport activities and drive change. Working alongside Kenyan athletes and the youth movement and award-winning media house Shujaaz, we were able to reach new audiences with the aim of dismantling stereotypes and sharing first person narratives of entrepreneurship, sporting achievement and community participation. Through the narrative of successful para-athletes, we have looked to spark youth interest to expanding the pipeline of future sporting talent. 

A vivid illustration of these efforts can be seen in the experiences of Stency Neema, a Kenyan para-athlete, para-badminton, and para-taekwondo star. 

Stency is classified in T47 (arm impairment, upper limbs affected by limb deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement). Undeterred, she spends much of her time training and is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital a hub that offers broader access to coaches and facilities compared to rural areas. 

Stency has been competing seriously for about five years, having discovered para badminton in her late teens. Eager to explore other sports, she revisited an early love for running in para athletics and later took up para taekwondo, reveling in the mental toughness and discipline required for the martial art. 

Outside of sports, Stency maintains a busy schedule that often includes part-time work, community engagement, and media interviews. Her rise in para badminton has opened doors for her to travel internationally, learn from elite athletes, and broaden her perspective on what people with disabilities can achieve when opportunities align. She attributes much of her progress to local mentors who recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue multiple disciplines, a choice she says keeps her constantly challenged and growing. 

“I love exploring and learning new things day by day,” Stency explains. “That’s why I joined para badminton, para athletics, and para taekwondo. Each sport teaches me something different about my strength, my focus, and my determination.” 
 
Despite the accolades, Stency notes that awareness of para sports in her community remains limited. In fact, many neighbors only realized she was competing on the international stage when they saw her on television after her victories in badminton and athletics. This revelation underscores how critical media visibility is for para athletes striving to gain support from sponsors and broader recognition in the public eye. 

Her experience has also fueled her advocacy. She believes early sports exposure for children with disabilities is vital, alongside more robust government backing and private sponsorships to ease the burden of travel and training costs. By sharing her story on social media, posting clips of her competitions, and granting interviews, she hopes to inspire others with disabilities to step into the arena. 

“My community members didn’t know I was competing in sports until they saw me on TV! Now, they ask for my videos, they want to learn more,” she recounts with a smile.   With her sights set on Los Angeles 2028, Stency is determined to climb further in the para badminton rankings and sharpen her sprint times. She remains equally open to the evolving possibilities in taekwondo, embracing each sport as a chance to challenge both body and mind. For Stency, the ultimate goal transcends medals and podium finishes it’s about rewriting the narrative around disability and continuing to open doors for the next wave of Kenyan para athletes.