The paralympics are a place that boasts its inclusiveness and diversity while blatantly excluding many disabilities. Those with chronic pain conditions, specifically Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Hypermobile Spectrum Disorder and other disabilities that have unstable joints as a symptom, are not allow to participate. 

I have HSD and while I am an athlete I will likely never be able to compete in any paralympic event. Not only that but if I were to try and be classified by the International Paralympic Committee more than once and found not to fit their idea of disabled I will forever be barred from participating. This means anyone with a progressive condition may never be able to compete if they're tested too early on in their disease. 

While keeping paralympics fair is important, gatekeeping who is 'disabled enough' can be incredibly harmful. I propose we make an additional class for sports for those with progressive or chronic illnesses such as EDS/HSD and other pain conditions. Still a fair competition and you give the chance for ALL disabled athletes to compete, when without this change they'd never have a chance.