GEORGIE PARKER: Madison De Rozario inspires me to be a better person as she races for Australia at Paralympics

I was on the phone to my good friend, Paralympic gold medallist, Madison De Rozario last week.

It was just a couple of days before she was leading the Australian team of 160 Paralympians as flagbearer in Paris.

It was the usual chat for us, her being in another country about to compete, and me trying to keep her grounded and humble, like all good friends do.

But, every time I speak to Mads, I leave feeling like a better person because even without meaning to she gives me life lessons, which, I would never admit to her, help me drastically be a better human.

You never want your friends to be good at sport, beautiful and smart as well, but annoyingly so, that’s exactly what she is.

So here are some lessons the Paralympic champion – who won bronze in the T54 5000m over the weekend - has taught me.

She’s taught me to open my eyes and ears and see the world how it is.

I’ll tell you what it is, it’s not fair nor kind. She speaks often to me about how she feels privileged, even as someone with a disability, as she is fit, healthy, and enjoys more support than others with a disability.

After one of her events at the Tokyo Games she so eloquently said, “No-one should have to justify the space that they take up and people with disabilities shouldn’t have to be exceptional in order to be accepted.”

We are a country where two in five people have a disability of some form, so be mindful, be accepting and be open to change.

Listen to those who live with disabilities, and you will see that the world is very hard for them, even if that wasn’t the intention.

I don’t know what it’s like to live with a disability, but I’m now more aware, I ask and listen when I can.

She’s taught me not to be scared to challenge those who don’t want see or listen.

Mads won the Tokyo marathon gold medal in a time of 1:38.11, which is fast. She tells me she is often spoken down to by people saying it must easier for her because the time is faster than someone running a marathon.

But she normally fires back if she’s faster than the runners, which in their minds means it’s easier, if she does it slower, which is easier for her, does it make it then make it harder for her?

For mine, it’s pretty simple, 42.1km in a wheelchair or running are two things I do not want to do, they are both great achievements and we don’t need to compare them.

Be prepared to listen to those who know more than you, and don’t unfairly move the goal posts you set for people or yourself is another good piece of advice she gave me.

And finally, she’s taught me that athletes are athletes, no matter the sport, the gender or whether they are able bodied or not. She is one of the best in the world at what she does, winning countless marathons globally.

Mads doesn’t want to be seen as anything other than an athlete who dedicates hours of her day training to be the best, and that goes for all the Paralympians competing in Paris.

So while you’re watching these Paralympic Games, take heed of the life lessons athletes like Mads teaches us.

They are inspiring stories, so get inspired. Challenge yourself and others to be better, fairer and kinder, and do your best to make the world as equitable as possible.

And find a friend who inspires you like I have. They may not be a Paralympic champion like Madison is, but not many people are.