BEYOND DISABILITY WE SEE THE PERSON BEBE VIO PARALYMPIC CHAMPION by Edoardo Vijge
The story of Beatrice “Bebe” Vio is widely known in Italy as well as abroad. Her role as flag bearer for Italy at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and her two medals – one gold and one silver – were just the cherry on top of a wonderful career. But there is so much more to uncover.
mental trauma. Bebe Vio carried on with her fencing career to become Italian paralympic champion in the foil discipline. Being a sport enthusiast, in the last few years, I have followed Bebe Vio’s success closely, but what I find most interesting is her ability to transform weakness into strength. Her story has inspired me, on several occasions, in seeing challenges from a new perspective, turning adversity into opportunity, and redefining my priorities and the way I come to see myself. This is, what I call, the Bebe Vio effect. Her strength lies in her smiles, her self-irony, her will to set an example and help others to overcome obstacles similar to those she had to face in her life. By overcoming every challenge thrown at her, she has established herself as a shining example of courage and determination for millions of people and athletes worldwide, with or without a disability.
Beatrice “Bebe” Vio, Italian paralympic champion
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ot everyone would survive meningitis and a limb amputation. Bebe Vio survived the amputation of all four limbs, at the age of only 11. Not everyone would keep practicing sports following a major physical and
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GLOBAL & SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
Bebe is quoted on her website as saying, “Lo sport è un mezzo di cambiamento e integrazione” (Sport is a way of change and integration), and these words have become a mantra in her life. Driven by the idea of creating a safe and accepting sporting environment, in 2021, she founded the Bebe Vio Academy, which gives young people between 6 and 18 years old the chance to experience paralympic sports. Not only does the project elicit a sense of belonging in children, helping
Segmento Issue XXVII • Jun-Aug 2022
