Paris 2024: Reporter De Cosemo: I thrived in a place I once feared I wouldn’t survive

I'm trying to think of a moment that defines this trip, and reporting on the Paralympic Games for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

There have been so many within a sporting context; the opportunity to interview Jurgen Klopp and tell the story of his friend, New Zealand Para badminton player Wojtek Czyz, is an obvious example. Going to Roland Garros, as a Rafa Nadal superfan, is another; then there is the blind football final and the outpouring of sheer French joy under the spotlight of the Eiffel Tower, as they won gold for the first time ever.

But none of them mean more to me than feeling part of a team who respect me and did everything they could to help me do my job. I’ve been asked to put my experience as a reporter with a disability for the IPC into words, but first I must pay tribute to people who helped me thrive in a place I once feared I wouldn’t survive.

Craig Spence, Chief Brand & Communications Officer, for entrusting me with the role and always being willing to discuss Xabi Alonso’s mighty Bayer Leverkusen with a huge smile whenever we crossed paths, despite holding a position of such high intensity and responsibility. He gave me a call to tell me I’d be coming to Paris in February, and we ended up discussing whether Leverkusen would go unbeaten in the Bundesliga for most of the discussion. They did.

Jonas Oliveira, Head of Content, for his approachability, helping everything run so brilliantly with so much great content. Emma Storey, one of the best bosses I’ve ever had, always there with the answers I needed and taking all the pressure away. Liz Montroy for saving my skin when I messed up with a morning preview and Ayano Shimizu, Lisa Martin, Ruth Faulkner and Gareth Walker for being some of the best, most interesting colleagues I’ll work with in my career. I’ve learnt so much from them all, and I’m richer for this experience because of them, and I’ll miss discussing our plans for the day over breakfast in the morning.

The first thing Emma said to us all was the Games were a marathon, not a sprint. By the time the sport began, a week in, that was my mantra. But I was able to focus on my job, telling stories; that is what I love and do best, everything else was taken care of. I came to Paris as a complete novice in terms of the IPC and the Paralympics, but I was able to learn and adapt quickly because the environment made it so easy.

Nobody patronised me or made me feel like I was a burden, which was once a fact of life for me. I was given the tools I needed to work and the freedom to do it my way. The biggest fear I had, as somebody with partial sight as well as cerebral palsy, was navigating across the city and getting to venues, but the TX service (transportation service) solved the issue before it really took hold. I was able to fulfil every task without crippling anxiety, and I’ll miss the ability to make a car go where I want by simply walking outside when it’s gone!

The opportunities I’ve been given over the past couple of weeks will be a reference for the future. I’ve realised I can achieve more in different facets of journalism, and thanks to the vast amount of work done, I can go forth with confidence at the strength of my portfolio. Confidence has always been my biggest hurdle, but I will forever look back on this experience as evidence I can do more than I thought previously.

I can only speak for myself, but it has been easy for people to put me in boxes and tell me what I can and can’t do because of my disability. That is a belief system I lived for years; my career has slowly helped that change, but Paris 2024 and the rollercoaster ride that I’ve been on will always be something I’ll look back on with the biggest smile because it showed me I can do it, even when I’m completely out of my comfort zone.

I really hope I get to do this again sometime.