RESTORE 4U - Greek team, Ioannina
Interview by Anthi Liagkou, Greek Paralympic Champion
International Day of Disability
Where: 7th Jumior High School of Ioannina, Greece
ΕΡΩΤΗΣΕΙΣ
QUESTIONS
I started my athletic career in 2008. In Ioannina we have the Sports Club for People with disabilities.
- In how many Paralympic Games have you taken part? How many medals have you won?
In 2014 I took part in the European Championship and there I had my first success. From 2014-2018 I won 3rd and 5th rank in the European Championship and World Championship. I also took part in 2016 in the Parolympic Games in Rio and won 5th rank.
- Could you, please, describe us a typical day od your training?
My nutrition is similar to each athlete who is active with sphere, javelin and disc. Usualy I train for two hours in the morning and for two hours in the afternoon. My exercises include throwings, weights and ABS exercises.
- Could you, please, tell us a few things about your disability?
Just after my birth I got very high fever and cerebral paralysis. The right part of my body doesn’t move at all.
- Would you like to talk about the additional problems you are facing in your everyday life and if yes, which are they?
The problems I am facing in this situation concern mostly accessibility to public places and places of entertainment, the difficulty of going for a walk without any help since the pavements are full of traps and if there any ramps they are mostly blocked by cars, etc. The same happens in my training sessions, we have to make special patents in the gym so that I can exercise. Self-made patents in public places and help from friends are necessary. Basically there is lack of education as far as the disability is concerned and the only solution to correct that is the information and the promotion of diversity from early childhood.
- What annoys you about the confrontation of the society?
Despite the fact that people with disabilities have achieved a lot of advantages, they keep on fighting for the full integration and the independent way of living. There are still many stereotype and negative prejudice in the society and the majority of these derive from the lack of information by the citizens relating to disability, but this what makes me really furious is the lack of respect.
- What makes you optimistic and gives you strength to go on?
The faith to God the support of my family, my trainer Stavros Stragalis and my friends who stand by me like rocks and peers and I thank them very much. They were next to me any time I needed them.
I achieved not to miss anything in my life. I never stopped dreaming and to love my life and to be optimistic and strong.
- Does the stereotype "Paralympics: Champions - Olympic Winners of Life" disturb you?
It is something that disturbs us and we don’t want that. We are athlete and we want to be regarded as athletes. Disability is another matter.
- Do you have any advice for young people to realize their dreams?
Every person can realize his dreams when he stops having any excuses, when he believes in himself and in his opportunities for something higher, better and more courageous. It is justified to put goals in his life and to try with appropriate steps to make them become real and at the same time to develop himself. The secret for the achievement and realization of his dreams is to focus on PATIENCE and INSISTENCE.