Sports
Edson Santi & Achilles Brazil: Running Transforms Lives
Discover the journey of Edson Santi, president of Achilles Brazil, and how running offers freedom and social connection for people with disabilities.
Edson Santi, president of Achilles Brazil, shares his inspiring journey of overcoming polio to participating in handcycle marathons. The episode details Achilles Brazil's mission to transform people with disabilities into athletes through sports and volunteering. Learn about the pillars of dedication and organization that drive this large family.
In this special episode of Stemma Sports, Fábio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura welcome Edson Santi, president of Achilles Brazil. Edson shares his remarkable life journey, which culminated in leading an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of people with disabilities through running and social connection.
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Edson Santi's Turning Point: From Polio to Freedom
Edson's story begins in 1960, in São Carlos, in rural São Paulo, when he contracted polio. After 25 surgeries and years using crutches, a medical diagnosis directed him to a wheelchair. What initially seemed like a setback soon proved to be a path to greater freedom and mobility. Edson, who playfully refers to himself as an "old wheelchair user," discovered the handcycle, which he affectionately calls "mandalar" because he pedals with his hands.
His first experience in a 10 km race in São Paulo city was challenging, but it awakened his taste for overcoming obstacles. Subsequently, Edson conquered the New York and Berlin Marathons using his handcycle, a significant experience that demonstrated the fundamental support of organizations like Achilles International in providing infrastructure for athletes with disabilities.
Achilles Brazil: More Than Sport, A Family
It was in 2010 that Edson first came into contact with Achilles Brazil, starting a "courtship" that would lead him to the presidency. The organization's mission is clear: to get people with disabilities out of their homes, offering a sporting activity and, most importantly, a social connection. Edson emphasizes that road running goes beyond the race; it's about giving and receiving, forming a true family where joy and mutual support are evident.
Achilles Brazil focuses on transforming People with Disabilities (PWDs) into Athletes with Disabilities (AWDs), primarily serving adolescents and adults. While running is the main focus, the organization seeks to provide an environment for growth and sociability.
Building Bridges and Athletes: Volunteering and Partnerships
The pillar of Achilles Brazil is volunteerism. The organization has a structured process for training guides, which includes an "onboarding session" to align expectations and a "5-point system" (training sessions and races) for certification. Edson emphasizes the importance of the volunteers' commitment, as they are expected not just to have willingness, but also availability to act, for example, in early morning training sessions at Parque Ibirapuera or Belém, meeting the demand of athletes who rely on public transportation.
Over the years, Achilles Brazil has built solid relationships with race organizers, such as Track & Field and Iguana. From mere courtesy requests, the relationship evolved into partnerships based on seriousness and trust, where Achilles assists in selecting participants and securing registrations for its athletes. This evolution demonstrates how the organization gained recognition for its organization and dedication.
Overcoming and Humanization: The Pillars of Achilles
Edson shares his life and leadership philosophy, guided by the conviction that "giving is better than receiving." He argues that sport is a powerful tool to shake people out of inertia and offer a better life platform, with more sociability and joy. He is a critic of "whining," encouraging autonomy and the will to act, a stance he himself adopted throughout his professional life, where he never relied on quotas, but on his own merit.
Achilles Brazil seeks to humanize relationships, understanding the individual needs of each athlete and volunteer. The organization does not aim for an explosion of numbers, but rather for quality and personalized service, cultivating an environment of love and care that is the foundation for the success and transformation of the lives involved.
The journey of Edson Santi and the work of Achilles Brazil are a testament that running is much more than a sport; it is a path to freedom, overcoming obstacles, and building social bonds that transform lives forever. It is proof that will and dedication can move mountains, or, in this case, cross finish lines.
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