In 1989, Teresa Silva, an avid athlete and member of the Spanish Paragliding Team, suffered an accident during training for the World Championship in Austria that left her paraplegic. This tragic event, far from extinguishing her spirit, ignited a flame of resilience and determination that led her to transform her life and that of thousands of people with disabilities in Spain.
After nine months of rehabilitation at the National Hospital of Paraplegics in Toledo, Teresa faced the daily challenges of living with a disability. In 1998, she discovered adaptive alpine skiing, a discipline that restored the sense of freedom and adrenaline she had longed for. This experience motivated her to share her passion and promote adaptive sports in Spain.
In January 2000, Teresa founded the "Santiveri Exhibition and Competition Team of Adaptive Alpine Skiing," the first of its kind in the country. The success of this initiative led her to establish, in December of the same year, Fundación También, a non-profit organization dedicated to the social inclusion of people with disabilities through sports.
Under her leadership, Fundación También has implemented programs in skiing, cycling, canoeing, sailing, and paddle tennis, benefiting over 10,000 people with disabilities. Additionally, in 2007, Teresa spearheaded the creation of the first women's adaptive alpine skiing team in Spain, sponsored by Olympic athlete Blanca Fernández Ochoa, achieving the establishment of a women's category in national championships.
Teresa Silva has been recognized with multiple awards, including the Siete Estrellas del Deporte Award from the Community of Madrid for Promoting Values, the International Madrid Woman’s Week Award as "Solidarity Woman," and the CERMI Award from the Community of Madrid. Her story is a testament to how adversity can become an opportunity to create a positive impact on society.
Today, Teresa continues to engage in sports such as sailing and alpine skiing, demonstrating that barriers can be overcome with determination and passion. Her legacy inspires new generations to pursue their dreams regardless of circumstances, reaffirming that sports are a powerful tool for inclusion and empowerment.
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