By Danniel Swatosh, CMO of The Axis Project, Access Initiatives
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At The Axis Project, we empower people with disabilities and seniors to lead active lives through adaptive programming and innovative equipment at our Access Initiatives gym. Our inclusive community helps members overcome limitations, achieve fitness goals, and engage fully in life, fostering a space where fitness has no boundaries.
Sports have long been a powerful tool for promoting health, wellness, and inclusion for people with disabilities. Despite centuries of progress in disability inclusion, there’s still a tremendous amount of work to ensure that sports and society are truly accessible to all. While sports for athletes with disabilities can be traced back to 1888, with the first Sports Club for the Deaf in Berlin, the fight for inclusion has continued to evolve.
The Paralympic movement owes much to Dr. Ludwig Guttman, who, in the 1940s, began organizing athletic competitions for veterans with spinal cord injuries in Great Britain. His belief in the transformative power of sports—that people with disabilities can achieve athletic excellence while nurturing their mental health and well-being—eventually led to the creation of the Paralympic Games. These events have been pivotal in raising awareness and advancing social inclusion, proving that athletes with disabilities are capable of extraordinary endurance and skill.
However, systemic change is often slow. The New York City Marathon, first organized by the New York Road Runners (NYRR) in 1970, took 30 years to introduce an official professional wheelchair division. This landmark decision in 2000, allowing wheelchair athletes to officially compete, followed decades of advocacy, lawsuits, and legal battles for inclusion, starting 1978 with Bob Hall, who sued for the right to compete in the race. Hall was the first wheelchair athlete to compete in the 1975 Boston Marathon, making history as the first major marathon to permit wheelchair athletes to participate.
While the Paralympics, the New York City Marathon, and adaptive sports have raised visibility and accelerated progress, much work remains to ensure that sports—and society—are truly inclusive for everyone.
Racing for inclusion: A personal journey
For George Gallego, participating in the NYC Marathon has become much more than just a race. “It’s a powerful platform to raise awareness about inclusion, especially for athletes with disabilities.” Having completed the NYC Marathon many times, initially in a racing chair, he eventually shifted to doing it in his everyday wheelchair. “Why? Because I wanted to highlight the challenges and obstacles that people with disabilities face on a daily basis and use that platform to advocate for greater inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of life, not just in sports,” says Gallego.
Brian Corcoran, another participant, echoes the sentiment that the NYC Marathon fosters inclusivity for athletes of all abilities. “Thousands of people complete the NYC Marathon despite various limitations. This event is a community gathering to show support for each participant. Each person has their own story and their own issues they’ve dealt with. Whether you are an athlete with a disability or not, it shows a large number of people coming together for a common goal. The NYC Marathon demonstrates that even if you face a disability, you can still achieve greatness. At the finish line, everyone crosses, people support one another and prove that it is possible to achieve this goal, even with boundaries.”
Yannick Benjamin reflected on the personal and transformative nature of the NYC Marathon. “I’ve always believed that the NYC Marathon is more than just a race; it’s a reflection of life’s circumstances. Every year, as I take on the course, I gain a deeper understanding of not only the route but also myself. For those five hours, it becomes a moment of meditation where I reflect on the life I’ve been given and express gratitude for the opportunity to keep pushing forward.”
Having completed the marathon more than ten times, Benjamin shared how challenging it remains. “At the 59th Street Bridge, there’s always a part of me that wants to give up, but I remind myself there’s gratification waiting on the other side. It’s a lesson that sticks with me in everything I do. One of my favorite mantras is: ‘The magic we’re looking for is in the work we’re avoiding,’ and that principle guides me both in my personal and professional life.”
The fight for full inclusion
Athletes with disabilities have long encountered significant barriers in competitive sports, ranging from lack of accessibility to outright exclusion. Progress is being made, particularly with events like the NYC Marathon introducing categories for Athletes With A Disabilities, but full inclusion remains a work in progress, and exclusion is ultimately a civil rights issue.
“Personally, I have encountered challenges related to ensuring equal recognition and support for athletes with disabilities. In many sports,athletes with disabilities were either placed in separate categories or had limited access to the same playing field as their non-disabled counterparts. However, my experience competing with Team USA in triathlons from 2007 to 2012, where both athletes with and without disabilities compete equally and crossed the same finish line, was a powerful example of how inclusive sports can be. ” says George Gallego.
Yannick Benjamin shared his thoughts on the broader significance of inclusion, stating, “These events show us that with the right support, accessibility measures, and mindset, inclusion is not only possible but enriching for everyone. They remind us that society thrives when we actively break down barriers and design environments where everyone, regardless of ability, can succeed. This same approach should be applied across all areas of life—from education and employment to entertainment and beyond. Inclusion isn’t just an accommodation; it’s a powerful way to elevate our collective potential.”
Racing for a cause: The Axis Project
In the 1980s, the New York Road Runners (NYRR) introduced charity slots, allowing participants to run while raising funds for important causes, including disability advocacy. This transformed the marathon into more than just a race—it became a platform for social change, amplifying the message that sports and society should be inclusive for all. This year, George Gallego, Yannick Benjamin, Catriona Duncan, Brian Corcoran, and Phillip Palacios are racing for a reason in the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon on November 3rd: to raise funds and awareness for The Axis Project, a vital community for people with disabilities that fosters inclusion, empowerment, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to push their limits. The Axis Project was founded by George Gallego, who, like Ludwig Guttman, believes in the transformative power of physical fitness to enhance a person’s independence and improve both their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Yannick Benjamin emphasizes his mission of raising awareness and creating opportunities. While he aims to make the most of his resources for his loved ones, his commitment to inclusion remains strong: “George Gallego and The Axis Project have provided so much to me and the disability community, and it’s my mission to ensure the door remains open for others to have the same opportunities I was given. We all need a purpose in life, and setting goals is the first step. A place like The Axis Project is vital in making that possible.”
Phillip Palacios shares how the marathon expanded his advocacy efforts. “I connected with Ines Vanboom, co-chair of Northwell Health’s N-Able group, which promotes disability inclusion for patients and staff. After learning about The Axis Project, she invited me to share my message with hospital staff, and we raised money for the cause.” Palacios also hosted a charity ride at Garden City Cyclebar, “We promoted it on social media, and my friend, Jamie Pangallo, led the ride. It was a great way to support The Axis Project and raise awareness.”
Catriona Duncan adds, “Raising funds for The Axis Project has heightened my awareness of my own privilege and the inequities that still exist. To me, marathoning represents the triumph of the human spirit, where the community and fellowship of diverse individuals striving for the same goal enriches the experience for everyone. I’m proud to be an ally and represent an organization that advances equality.”
George Gallego reflects on the impact of The Axis Project: “It means everything to me because it’s not just an organization—it’s a community born out of the need to create a space for people with disabilities to connect and grow together. I founded The Axis Project in 2014 to offer the empowerment I found in sports as a paraplegic athlete. It’s about building confidence, fostering community, and breaking down barriers.”
The power of advocacy
George responded thoughtfully when asked what event he would design to further push the boundaries of inclusion: “If I were to design a new event or aspect of the NYC Marathon to push the boundaries of inclusion further, I would create an ‘Inclusive Relay Marathon’ that highlights and celebrates athletes of all abilities and backgrounds working together. This event would emphasize teamwork, cooperation, and shared experiences, reinforcing the idea that inclusion in sports is not just about accommodation but true integration.”
Together, Gallego, Benjamin, Corcoran, Duncan and Palacios exemplify how the marathon and organizations like The Axis Project can serve as platforms not just for athletic achievement, but for advocacy, awareness, and meaningful change in the ongoing fight for inclusion and accessibility in all areas of life.
As athletes and advocates race toward inclusivity, they inspire future generations to believe in their potential. Their journeys remind us that sports are about community, resilience, and the unwavering spirit to break down barriers. Each challenge faced and goal achieved demonstrates that when we support one another, we create a world where everyone has the opportunity to shine. In this shared pursuit of equality, we are not just spectators; we are all participants in a powerful movement toward a more inclusive society.