The debate surrounding para-athletes being mistaken for normal athletes due to their outward appearance is a long drawn one. Perception of disability is a conversation that should start with awareness. Ask Ryan Medrano. He has been questioned so many times that now, he remains unfazed. He has even encountered photographers who claimed he didn’t ‘look’ disabled. One such condition is cerebral palsy. The severity of the condition determines muscle movement, coordination, balance, and posture.

During the recent World Para Athletics Championships, his right leg flared up with immense pain following his 100m and 400m sprints and the long jump. In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports’ Atharv Phadke, Medrano opened up about what the world doesn’t see beyond the bright lights of the track.

Medrano’s nights are often spent in agony, one he describes as a burning sensation extending from his ankle to his hip. He explained, “When I’m extremely tired, I walk, I hobble, and people are like, ‘You walk like a penguin.’ I’m like, ‘I’m not trying to compensate.’” The pain of being misunderstood is worse. When your body gives up, and there is less coordination, the hobble shows. It’s not to compensate, not to display. Another conversation that is less spoken of – disabilities aren’t just congenital. They can be acquired later in life too.

His mother, who wasn’t born with a disability, acquired one after suffering a near-fatal stroke. Medrano revealed that after the stroke, two-thirds of his mother’s brain had lost functionality. Mobility had become a luxury. But the worst part? People don’t always recognize the problem right away. He said, “I’ll have older people walk up to her and ask, ‘Why are you parked in a handicap spot?’ And it almost brings her to tears because she almost lost her life. She had to relive, learn how to live her life, and struggles every single day with what she has, but flourishes at the same time. And somebody has the audacity to ask that question.” 

To make things worse, people don’t ask such questions out of curiosity. Yet, his mother treats them as a “teachable moment.” Similarly, when a photographer asks him, “I see this is mixed para race. What’s wrong with you?” Medrano doesn’t exhaust himself explaining his disability. He continued, “Not all disabilities are seen. A lot of them aren’t seen. There’s people all over the world today.”

Medrano’s statement echoes those of other Paralympic athletes, such as Nick Mayhugh. Speaking to EssentiallySports exclusively after his long jump final, Mayhugh also mentioned that he’s often asked if he is differently abled because of his seemingly normal appearance.

Not all of Medrano’s races end in success or medals. Sometimes, the podium is not the point. Yet, his resilience shines through as he focuses on what comes next.

Ryan Medrano tells EssentiallySports all about his path to improvement

In a conversation with EssentiallySports following his T38 400m race, Medrano’s charisma shone through and onward-and-upward attitude captivated. Instead of dwelling on his loss, he locked his focus on improving. He stated, “So, just got some work to do when I get on my off-season. The race itself felt great. I got out good. Just need to skin some weight off. I’m about 210 pounds.”

The race, even with a defeat, brought him an opportunity to learn. And Ryan Medrano wasn’t someone to let such things go. He continued, “Especially, I think I did great coming out of the box, which is what I’ve been working on. I hit a 50.09, you know.” Doing one better is not the priority. His ability to learn and relearn with every opportunity despite his condition hindering his motor and cognitive abilities is largely rewarding for him. His mental fortitude doesn’t let it become an obstacle.  

The 2025 World Para Athletics Championship silver medalist said, “I look at it, I visualize myself doing it, and then I execute.” His story is nothing short of a celebration of life and the opportunities it brings, regardless of falling and failing. 

What are your thoughts? Where would you draw your inspiration from? Let us know in a comment.