Natalia's Wheelchair GoFundMe

Help me buy a new wheelchair!

 

I'm going to tell you a little bit of my story and routine, and you'll soon see that the word disability doesn't fit very well with them.

 

I was born in Recife and I believe that when people say that people from Pernambuco are “arretados”, this fits perfectly with my personality, since I have the pleasure of representing the strength that these people have. When I was two and a half years old, I was at the stop with my mother when a bus lost control, climbed onto the sidewalk, and ran over me. As if that wasn't enough, the driver tried to escape and even dragged me for a few meters, going over my legs. Imagine my mother's despair at that moment. Luckily, there was a hospital across the street from the accident site and I was quickly directed there. The doctors said that I arrived with only a 2% chance of life, as I suffered head trauma, and several bruises and, unfortunately, there was no possibility of recovering my legs. And that's how it all happened, making this experience my first lesson in life about victories and defeats.

Because of the accident and in order to continue winning this battle, my parents decided to leave Recife in search of the best possible treatment, which we came to find in Brasília. Throughout my childhood, in the midst of treatments, physiotherapy, and such things, I had the great privilege of being raised and educated by my parents in a very spontaneous and independent way, like any other child who has no physical disability.

 

Turning the focus to the sport, it was in Brasília that I got to know the adapted sport. Initially, I got to know swimming, a modality in which I spent a few years of my life and achieved great victories as well.

 

Next to the swimming pool where he trained, however, there was a tennis court where wheelchair classes were held. Little by little I became interested and realized that that was my sport. In my first year in the adult category, I reached 27th place in the ITF (International Tennis Federation) ranking, and the following year I climbed 5 more positions.

 

At the age of 17, I participated in the ParaPan American Games in Guadalajara (where I met Jady Malavazzi, who also trains at Bodytech and has become a great friend. To this day we have the opportunity to train and share our experiences).

 

At the age of 18, I participated in the London Paralympic Games, being the first Brazilian female wheelchair tennis representative in the Paralympic Games, but unfortunately, I was eliminated by number three in the ITF ranking.

 

In Toronto, I won two gold medals in the ParaPan American Games (doubles tournament with my partner Rejane and in the singles tournament). While celebrating at the end of the game, I still had the honor of receiving the news from the president of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee that I had been chosen to carry the Brazilian flag at the Closing Ceremony of the Games.

 

I've represented all the Brazilian athletes by doing a speech at the UN in Switzerland and was chosen to receive the Olympic flag and flame in Brazil, I was fortunate enough to be ranked top 10 in the world and number one ranked in Brazil.

 

After moving to the USA I lost my sponsorship due to bad management and communication with the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, which left me in the USA without a job, not being able to play tennis anymore, and alone. My financial situation got severely affected and I had to start working, now I'm trying to regain my financial stability to be back playing tennis and representing my country.

 

The reason I'm doing this GoFundMe, is because my wheelchair broke down, and I'm not being able to move or go about my regular day, because of what happened I currently don't have the means to afford a new wheelchair.

 

The wheelchair costs $6500 and would be ready in two weeks after ordering. Unfortunately, I can't cover that cost and hope some of you can help me with that.