Rafael: A Champion on Wheels

Ivon Cuervo - Posted on December 4, 2009

“To win you need to have spirit, energy and to train a lot," says Rafael, 23, who has the privilege to have the support of his parents, his community and the sponsorship of World Vision to overcome his cognitive limitations and to surprise others by demonstrating what he can achieve.

World Vision promotes the inclusion of people with physical or cognitive limitations within the special attention programs, as well as their integration in activities that allow them to develop their abilities.

As part of this effort, the organization supports 30 people with disabilities between 13 and 25 years old, benefitted from the sponsorship program so they can receive specialized attention.

Mercedes Hernandez is phono-audilogyst and founder of the Huellas (Footprints) Center of Special Education where the sponsored children receive the accompaniment of professional people who organize art and sports initiation workshops and educational outings for these chlidren.

The monthly amount that World Vision provides to the institution is approximately $60 per each participant.

Last Augutst, nine adolescents and youths who participated in the sports school of this Education Center, were invited to participate in the FIDES Third Iberoamerican Olympics. They competed in swimming, athletics and cycling.

The event took place in Bogota and 3,000 athletes participated, accompanied by their coaches, tutors and some family members.

Rafael is one of the youths from the Nueva Esperanza sponsorship program who competed in the discipline of track cycling. He was born with a slight mental retardation and has had the support of his family to study and to develop his abilities.

Rafael won the first place in cycling and went home with a smile and a gold medal hanging on his chest as a proof of his strength and talent.

Rafael’s liking for this sport comes from his childhood, when his father taught him to get on a bike and pushed him while he pedaled.

“When I fell dawn, my father told me that to learn we had to try several times,” remembers Rafael.

When he became a young man, Rafael realized it was time to change the old bicycle, so he offered to help his father in the workshop of a mechanic during his vacation and saved money to buy a new bicycle.

“We have always supported Rafael and feel very happy for him to win the competition,” says Albeiro, Rafael’s brother.

“To the family members of people with disabilities I tell them to teach their children a sport and help them so they can discover their abilities,” adds Albeiro.

FIDES was the first Olympics Rafael has participated in. “I feel great. I think I was very competitive. The teachers and my mother congratulated me,” says Rafael, with a face of satisfaction.

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