Minna-Maaria Antikainen, the world’s first transgender figure skater, had a mishap during her debut at the European Figure Skating Championships in Finland. Formerly known as Markku-Pekka Antikainen, she transitioned to a woman and started figure skating at 49.
During the opening ceremony, she stumbled and fell seconds into her performance but was helped up by a female hostess carrying the Finnish flag. Despite this, Antikainen had trained for eight years, practicing five hours a week and participating in other skating events.
The European Figure Skating Championships focused on promoting diversity and inclusion with the theme “Just be you.” However, same-sex pairs are still banned in the sport, and there’s no category for non-binary skaters. Hopefully, more countries will work toward equality and diversity in figure skating.
If you spot someone wearing these shoes, stop what you’re doing and look around. You had probably better know what it means I had no idea
n a world that is crowded and fast-pacing, visually impaired people experience hardship with mobility. Luckily, thanks to the technological advancement, these people’s lives are significantly enhanced.
Now, except for a cane or a service dog that helps them navigate around, visually impaired people can use newest high-tech option provided to them by Austrian based company named Tech-Innovation.
This company has created shoes with a built-in sensor that alerts visually impaired people, via vibration or sound, when an obstacle is detected.
The product, named InnoMake, have the sensors react when an obstacle is detected at the maximum distance of four meters and minimum distance of half a meter. The sensor fits into a special slot within the shoes and comes with a rechargeable battery which lasts up to a week before it need to be recharged. It only takes three hours for the battery to get fully charged.
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