Bolivian Woman Fighting for Change in Her Community

Following her spinal cord surgery, Yolanda found support and friendship in ASOMDEIN LA PAZ (La Paz Integrated Sports Association) and became a wheelchair basketball player. She had not played any sport before, but after the surgery, she found a place where she belongs, witnessing people emerge, fight fiercely for what they want, and show their capabilities through sports.

She was also a physics and chemistry teacher in high school, and after eight years of working, she learned that there is a lot to learn from people with disabilities in schools.

Today, Yolanda wants to encourage people with disabilities to overcome their fears using sport and education. She believes the first step is to work on the good of oneself and adapted sports are ideal for that process. Working as a physics and chemistry teacher has taught her that the best way to show others how able we are is to be an active part of society. Through her work, Yolanda has helped many people to stop seeing people with disabilities as poor and in need; completely changing their minds and letting them see the individual’s capabilities.

Yolanda aims to use wheelchair basketball and other adapted sports to empower athletes with disabilities in Bolivia to gain independence in all aspects of their lives.