Chadding with Dads: A Conversation About Achievement with Martin Alcott, Father of Paralympian Dylan Alcott

Dadages

This week in Dadages, host Chad Hagle brings you the first international episode of the show! This episode continues the focus on the Dadage “Don’t let what you can’t do prevent you from doing what you can” and is also a tribute to Disability Awareness Month. Chad is joined in the virtual studio by Martin Alcott from Australia. Martin is the father of Dylan Alcott, who was born with a disability caused by a tumor on the base of his spine but grew up to become one of the best wheelchair athletes in the world. The audience learns about Dylan’s story, the health issues and struggles he had to face from a very young age, and how he overcame them to get to where he is today. He has won multiple trophies in both wheelchair tennis and basketball, in addition to being a public speaker, running his own foundation, and even working as an actor. Martin gives some valuable advice about facing frightening moments as a parent based on his own experience. He highlights Dylan’s relationship with his older brother Zack and their family dynamics. Chad and Martin then discuss people’s general attitudes about disability and the lack of understanding on how to interact with people with disabilities, visible and not visible. They also discuss the vernacular around disabilities and the right terms to use to talk about the subject. The conversation continues with Martin telling more about his own origin story and what prepared him to be a good father. He also explains some of the problems and biases people with disabilities still face in society and some of the initiatives he and Dylan have been part of to address those issues and make a difference. Finally, Martin and Chad talk about the changes their families have experienced, the way those changes have affected their children, and the good things that have come with remarrying and having blended families.