Mercedes Gonzalez’s Diary

As a physically challenged person, I’ve seen many things, and many haven’t been so good. If we add the time I’ve been a member of the Cuban Association for the Physically Impaired (ACLIFIM), dealing with people who, like myself, endure motor disabilities, addressing their social, material and even spiritual needs, we could say I’ve basically “seen it all.”

Held at the close of last year, Cuba’s second National Badminton Festival aimed to broaden the participation of people with disabilities in the sport. The competitors showed better training and a greater number of people from other provinces took part in the event.

A few months ago, I had to be hospitalized because of several fractures in my left ankle and metatarsus, as well as my chronic condition (spastic paraparesis). I had lost all mobility in my legs, my sense of balance and muscle strength.

I grew up believing the story one couldn’t trust the United States, that there was nothing of any value there, that everything that came from up north was a lie and it’s hard to change one’s way of thinking entirely overnight.

I recently filed an official petition requesting alimony from my child’s father. I didn’t want to do it, and I thought it about a lot before making my decision – but I finally went ahead and did it. I only turned to justice when I had no other option.

I swear that, when I started training, I did so mainly to stay in physical and mental shape. In addition to giving us discipline, sports often surprise us. One is amazed at what one can accomplish through the challenges that a routine throws our way.

The opening ceremony was simple but nice. The qualifying session was stressful, as whether one played on or not depended on it. Those responsible for assessing our performance were judges from Spain, Canada, Switzerland, China and other countries.

I can’t access my email account regularly, so it’s hard to keep you up to date on the rewarding changes that have been taking place in my life recently. The lastest is my taking up badminton.