Hay superheroes who do not wear a cape or mask. They can’t even fly. But yes they can break down barriersprejudices and looks stronger than any enemy of flesh and blood; They can also ignore comments that seek to ridicule or humiliate, although, in reality, the response always ends up coming in the form of admiration and recognition for his work.
Antonalthough he does not believe it or does not think about it – yet – he is part of that cast of ‘superheroes’ who have to face and live with disability. In his case, he seems like a difficult rival who must be beaten every day on the hardwood of the basketball court, a sport he practices at the Basketmi Ferrol club, an entity that promotes inclusion in sport since 1990.
Echo She is Antón’s mother and president of this basketball club. According to his testimony, one of his son’s greatest goals is to achieve recognition and visibility of adapted basketball and in wheelchair. An achievement that is directly related to one of his most famous phrases, despite his youth: «In the Olympics you see the heroes you have and those you admire; Superheroes are born in the Paralympics«.
«It’s good that I was born here»
Anton He was born with a malformation that caused him a great permanent sensation of pain. As a result of this irreversible situation, he chose to make one of the most imposing, important and consequential decisions he will ever make in his life: ask for the amputation of his leg. In one fell swoop, dreams and aspirations seemed to have collapsed. But it was just a simple idea.
Antón, likewise, has the immense fortune of having in his life Gema, his mother. When this young man was born, Gema’s first thought was: «It’s good that I was born here«, sure of the sincere and unlimited love that she could offer to that then baby. In this way, he adds that a single mentality invaded his thinking: «I have a son with a disability and I am prepared to fight by his side«.
Today, young Antón is the youngest player in the First Division of adapted basketballa sport that came into his life as, practically, a salvation: «He lived very sad and basketball saved his life«, remembers Gema. It has not been easy for her to witness her son’s process, but she has always been clear about her place and her role, promoting accessibility and the inclusion of disabilities in sport.
Furthermore, Gema herself is not only Antón’s mother, but she also holds the position of president of the Basketmi club in Ferrol, an entity firmly committed to inclusion. Likewise, the performance of this mother has also positioned her as one of the most active voices in the dissemination of the adapted sport. «The best thing my mother does to take care of me is make me laugh«, explains Antón in statements to the program ‘Of silk and iron‘.
Heroes and superheroes
Throughout life, we have all had – or have – a figure to whom we idolize or lend our praiseas if it were a hero, whether science fiction or pure reality. In any case, superheroes have also had an important role in the childhood of so many children and girls, who look at them through the eyes of empowerment and possibility.
Among these superheroes we can add people with disabilities, so Antón is already a real “superhero”as he calls the athletes who participate in the Paralympics and adapted competitions. He does it himself through wheelchair basketball.
From this experience, Echo, Anton and all his teammates They tour schools to promote disability visibility and sensitivityhighlighting her inclusion in sport: “What I feel is hope because while they are listening, they are understanding you and no word falls on deaf ears,” estimates this mother for the program. TVE.
Finally, Antón himself is, without intending to, an essential figure for promote wheelchair basketball and adapted for players with disabilities. And who knows if, in a few years, this young man will be representing his country in a Paralympic competition, being the “superhero” of thousands of children who dream of being like him.
