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On July 3, a Google Doodle commemorated the 122nd birthday of Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a British neurologist born in Germany. The Paralympic Movement was founded by him. Guest artist Ashanti Fortson from Baltimore has created today’s special Google Doodle.
Ludwig Guttmann was born on July 3, 1899, in Tost, Germany (now Toszek, Poland), and founded the Stoke Mandeville Games, a crippled sports tournament that later became the Paralympic Games in England.
In 1924, he earned his MD and began working on spinal cord injuries. Ludwig Guttmann was one of Germany’s best neurosurgeons by his early thirties.
Apart from the Nuremberg Laws, which were passed in 1933, Ludwig Guttmann was unable to practise medicine professionally due to the advent of the Nazi party. Because of the escalating persecution of Jews in Germany, Guttmann and his family fled to England in 1939.
Guttmann studied paraplegia in England for a long time. In 1948, he organised the first official competitive sporting event for wheelchair users, a 16-person archery competition. This event ultimately became known as the Stoke Mandeville Games, and it drew worldwide notice.
Guttmann was in charge of organising the International Stoke Mandeville Games 12 years later. In 1961, he established the International Medical Society of Paraplegia (the International Spinal Cord Society) as well as the British Sports Association for the Disabled (Activity Alliance). He was knighted by Her Majesty the Queen in 1966 for his efforts.
“Today, paralympic competitors are justly lauded for their abilities and accomplishments. The Paralympic Games “remain a driving force for promoting the rights and independence of persons with disabilities, with a long-term influence on equitable treatment and opportunities,” according to the Google Doodle page.
