By Lenny Neslin, Boston.com Staff

The opening ceremony for the Paralympic Games in London began Wednesday.

Acclaimed British scientist Stephen Hawking, who has motor neurone disease and has been paralyzed for most of his life, narrated parts of the ceremony.

With the games set to begin, here's a list of athletes who were born in or listed a residency in New England. In all, there are 12 New England connections from all six states among Paralympic athletes who will compete in the 11-day competition, many of whom are on the rowing, sailing and swimming teams. Some listed two cities on the official team release provided by the US Olympic Committee.

Connecticut (4)
Andrew Johnson, Riverside, Conn., Rowing
Paul Nitz, Edina, Minn., Bloomfield, Conn., Track and Field
Tara Profitt, Berlin,Conn., Newington, Conn., Table Tennis
Alexandra Stein, Stamford, Conn., Rowing

Maine (1)
Tom Brown, Castine, Maine; Bangor, Maine, Sailing

Massachusetts (3)
Kelley Becherer, Sheboygan, Wis.; Boston, Swimming
Anjali Forber-Pratt, Natick, Mass.; Champaign, Ill., Track and Field
Michael Prout, West Springfield, Mass.; Colorado Springs, Colo., Swimming
Dorian Weber, Brighton, Mass.; Boston, Rowing

New Hampshire (1)
Victoria Arlen, Exeter, N.H., Swimming

Rhode Island (1)
Paul Callahan, Cape Coral, Fla.; Newport, RI, Sailing

Vermont (1)
Alicia Dana, Putny, Vt., Cycling

One good way to follow the games is through a web site produced by WGBH for PBS called Medal Quest.