London Paralympics 2012: Opening Ceremony

A firework display heralds the end of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Sir Ian McKellen and Nicola Miles-Wildin performing as Prospero and Miranda during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Fireworks explode during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

The flame is carried by Royal Marine Joe Townsend during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Nicola Miles-Wildin, center, and artists perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

The flame leaves the Orbit on its way to the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Paralympian Margaret Maughan lights The Paralympic Cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Artists perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Athletes from Mexico during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

A sphere descends into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

A large scale reproduction of Marc Quinn's celebrated sculpture "Alison Lapper Pregnant" emerges during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Fireworks light up the stadium as a large scale reproduction of Marc Quinn's celebrated sculpture "Alison Lapper Pregnant" emerges during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Sir Ian McKellen and Nicola Miles-Wildin performing as Prospero and Miranda during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

The Paralympic flag is carried by members of the Great Britain U22 Wheelchair basketball team during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Ziya Azazi dances during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Sir Philip Craven MBE speaks during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

(L-R) Samantha Cameron, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Anne, Princess Royal and London Mayor Boris Johnson and his wife Marina Wheeler applaud during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

An artist performs during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Queen Elizabeth II officially opens the London 2012 Paralympic Games, watched by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

An artist performs during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Actors from Graeae Theatre company perform 'Spasticus Autisticus' during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Artists perform during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Fireworks light up the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Ilham Zakiyev of Azerbaijan carries the flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Fireworks explode during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Eight members of the Great Britain U22 Wheelchair Basketball team carry the Paralympic flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

Aerial perfomers during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

A large-scale replica of Marc Quinn's sculpture, 'Alison Lapper Pregnant', emerges from the book stage during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.

A firework display heralds the end of the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics at the Olympic Stadium on Aug. 29, 2012, in London, England.