Belén Ameijenda is 25 years old, lives in Buenos Aires and was born with a congenital malformation called spina bifida, which occurs when the spinal column and spinal cord do not form properly. In her case, it affected her lower back. The young woman inherited a passion from her earliest age: motor racing. Far from giving up because of her motor disability, she wants to be the first female driver with a disability in Latin America in motor racing. But it is not so easy. You need an homologated seat to adapt your vehicle to its capabilities and thus be able to debut in February next year in the Fiat One-Brand.
“From the age of five I watched Road Tourism and Formula 1 as a family. I always wanted to be a pilot and I saw it as something very far away, but it was my dream. In 2019 I went to the Mouras racetrack, in La Plata, and I met Juan María “El Gatito” Nimo, a motorist who was left paraplegic in an accident and competes in an adapted car. That encouraged me to be able to fulfill this dream that I have had for a long time, “said Belén.
That meeting was a before and after in the young woman’s life. “I started the movement with the administrative procedures and medical authorizations in mid-2020. They gave me the authorization to run and I am trying to get the approved seat, which costs 200 thousand pesos. Without that, I cannot do the mechanical modifications to handle it due to my disability. I already have the car available to compete in the Monofiat category ”, he explained.
And he continued: “I do not have the support of anyone. If no company shows solidarity, next month I am going to start a campaign. Also inviting those who want to join as sponsors to be able to finance expenses and be able to compete ”.
In addition to fulfilling her dream, Belén says that her life story can serve other people who are going through the same situation. “Society makes you believe that you can’t and there is a wide range of adapted sports,” he remarked.
Belén studied sports journalism, and in addition to motor racing, she practiced other sports such as swimming, horse riding and archery, which she will start training next year to compete in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Another thing she likes to do is sing: for a time she studied at the Valeria Lynch academy.
“I have the conviction that I do what I like. I have the support of my family. I have a lot of love for sports since I was very young. This is a message to raise awareness about inclusion and show that a disability does not define you, ”the young woman closed.
To collaborate with Belén, you can communicate through your Instagram account: @belu.honda
