Teresa Silva (paraplegic, Madrid) was on the Spanish national paragliding team when she had an accident in 1989 that left her with a spinal injury. In 2000 she launched the También Foundation, which aims to promote "social inclusion of people with disabilities through all sorts of inclusive sports that can be done outdoors, in nature, inclusively."

A journalist with a degree in English, French and German languages and cultures, Teresa decided to combine her sports career with her job as a journalist for publications specialising in sports aviation and her company Nueva Aviación, where she organised events, aerial sports courses and the sale of materials. After the accident, she continued working but didn't go back to the sports arena for eight years, as she couldn't find a sport she enjoyed. "There was a huge hole in my life, until I tried adaptive alpine skiing in 1998."

«After the accident, she continued working but didn't go back to the sports arena for eight years... until she tried adaptive alpine skiing in 1998.»

When she started doing adaptive alpine skiing, Teresa became more familiar with the world of the disabled, which she had had little contact with before. "That experience was very enriching personally and that was when I realised that I couldn't shy away from a group I belong to." The need to share experiences led her to launch her two most important projects: the first exhibition and competition adaptive alpine skiing team (Santiveri) and the También Foundation. "The early days of the foundation were hard, but thanks to help from solidary companies, members of the board, trustees and volunteers, we got it off the ground and made it what it is today," a clear benchmark in raising awareness of adapted sport and leisure activities in Spain.

As an athlete, Teresa is particularly proud of her titles as Spanish ski champion and Madrid sailing champion, her two favourite sports. In her personal life, she's married and loves enjoying her free time with her large, close-knit family.

«People's response to my idea to start up the foundation was spectacular. I'm very proud and fortunate that so many people with disabilities have found a path to wellbeing and personal satisfaction through sport.»

But as Teresa herself says, "sport isn't everything in life" and sometimes even she likes to "go out dressed to the nines without ending up sweaty, hair mussed and breathing hard." That's why she's been using our handbikes for several years now. Plus, she normally takes her BATEC ELECTRIC handbike to the events she organises with the foundation and the regattas she competes in. "I'm the official team message girl. I go back and forth from one end of the endless marinas to the other in a heartbeat."

«Teresa with her Batec handbike is the official team message girl. "I go back and forth from one end of the endless marinas to the other in a heartbeat."»