The story of Teresa Silva (paraplegic, Seville), founder of Fundación También, is a testament to how people with disabilities can work together to help improve lives within their community.
Teresa was part of the Spanish Paragliding Team when, in 1989, she suffered an accident during training, resulting in a spinal cord injury. In 2000, she launched Fundación También with the goal of “socially integrating people with disabilities through all kinds of sports that can be practised inclusively, outdoors and in contact with nature.”
A journalist with a degree in English, French and German language and civilisation, Teresa opted to combine her sporting career with her professional life. She worked as a writer for magazines specialising in sports aviation and devoted herself to her company, Nueva Aviación, which no longer exists today.
After the accident, she continued working but remained distant from the world of sports for eight years, as she couldn’t find a sport she enjoyed. “There was a huge gap in my sporting and leisure life until 1998, when I had the chance to try adapted alpine skiing.”
Fundación También: The project of her life
Discovering adapted alpine skiing was a turning point in Teresa’s life. It introduced her to the world of disability, which she had previously had little contact with. “That experience enriched me greatly as a person, and it was then that I realised I couldn’t stay on the sidelines of a community I belonged to.”
Her deep need to share her experience drove her to launch her two most important projects. On the one hand, the first exhibition and competition team for adapted alpine skiing (Team Santiveri) and, on the other, her foundation, Fundación También.
“The foundation’s early days were challenging. Thanks to the support of socially responsible companies, trust board members, beneficiaries and volunteers, we managed to get it off the ground and turn it into what it is today.” That is, a leading organisation in promoting inclusive sport and leisure in Spain.
As an athlete, Teresa is particularly proud of the titles she has won – some as Spanish champion in skiing and others as champion of the Community of Madrid in sailing, her two favourite sports. In her personal life, she is married and loves spending time with her close-knit family.
The response to the foundation’s initiatives has been incredible. I feel very proud and grateful that so many people with disabilities have found a source of well-being and personal fulfilment through sport.
Enjoying Batec beyond sport
However, as Teresa herself says, “Life isn’t just about sport.” She also enjoys “leaving the house looking put together, without ending up exhausted, sweaty and dishevelled.” To help with this, she uses her Batec handbike, which assists her in daily life, at the events she organises through the foundation and even in her sailing and skiing activities. “I’m the team’s official errand-runner. I zip back and forth across the endless marina docks in no time.”
