**6. Role of sports as a coping mechanism**

It is a well-established fact that physical activities including sports, build self-esteem and self-acceptance, as well as enhance physical, mental, and emotional health [12]. This has been known to medicine as far back as B.C. 460 (alluded to by Hippocrates). The International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) is the arm of the Paralympic Movement governing professional and competitive sports for the visually impaired. British athletics in schools was used as an inspiration for developing Paralympic sports, Para (parallel) – lympics (running just after the regular Olympic program) [11]. The running, jumping, and throwing activities were found to boost not only physical wellbeing, but brought inclusion and equality to persons otherwise marginalized due to disabilities. Quoting from the Paralympics manual:

*'The fundamental principle guiding the Paralympics movement is that elite level athletes with physical disabilities should have opportunities and experiences equivalent to those afforded elite athletes without disabilities…Competitive sports have proven to be an effective vehicle to promote equality, inclusion, accessibility and awareness about the capabilities of those with physical disability…and dispel the stigma surrounding disability and illuminate the realm of possibility…"* [13]*.*

Wanderi [12] looked at the role of sports in the lives of Kenyans in educational institutions and communities on a whole. The Government of Kenya in 1988 outlined a decade plan for the integration of education to the tertiary and post graduate level, where both physically challenged and those desirous of working with the disabled would receive equal training in the universities, a program which spread across academic and sports departments. The 2006–2011 strategic plan of the Ministry of Education in Kenya was a highlight of Kenya Government's commitment to improving the fate of the disabled. Legislations and Governmental policies need to stand behind the inclusion and empowerment of visual impaired in their societies, thus minimizing the sense of dislocation and hopelessness of those with visual, and other physical impairment.

The ability of sports to unite communities, regions, and cultures has been demonstrated time and again, and is even more powerful when viewed from the standpoint of disabilities. There is an added measure of respect and dignity that transcends the winner's podium. Just participation in itself lends to self-confidence, respect from community, and aids the rehabilitative efforts of those caring for the visually impaired. Physical activity among the visually impaired enhances coordination as well as sharpens proprioceptive and other senses that are needed in daily life. There is a bonus in other areas of health that would be threatened by a sedentary lifestyle that can result from the loss of self-confidence and independence accompanying significant vision loss.
