Paralympic day out - Lorainne's report

Mencap and the Learning Disability Interview Panel were recently  entered into a competition run by the 2012 Legacy team. They wanted to give people who live in London the chance to see what the Olympic Park would be like after the Games, and to go to a Paralympic event.

When I found out that I was asked if I wanted to go, I quickly said YES! very loudly. I was very excited!!

We were entered by a colleague at Mencap, who said that we should win because of the way we are inclusive, and that we campaigned for people with a learning disability to be included in the Paralympics again. The prize was for 20 tickets to the swimming.

On the way to the Paralympics I went on the Javelin speed train from St Pancras, I met a family with two young children, they were so excited about going, it made me even more excited.

Once we got into the Olympic park I was so impressed by the scenery and the different buildings I kinda wandered off and got lost, luckily I spoke with someone that I went with who helped me get back and join the group.

Once we got into the Aquatics Centre I felt like I had walked up about 1000 steps to get to my seat, it was a lot!! But it was worth waiting for, the atmosphere was brilliant. The only other time that I have been in an atmosphere like this was when I went to the 02 to see West Life, but I have to be honest, this was better.

We saw lots of Paralympic records being broken, which was excellent!! I did not stop cheering the whole time, my voice was a bit sore and I got a little emotional by the end. But I have lots of photos to remind myself how brilliant it was. Come on team GB, bring home some Gold Medals!

See more photos of Mencap's day out at the Paralympics.