Disability and parenthood do not inherently clash, according to Giulia Terzi.
Making Waves in the Pool: Giulia Terzi's Journey
Dipping her hand into the pool's edge, securing a bronze in the 400 meters, a race she's always battled, Giulia Terzi let out a sigh of relief. "Mentally, it was tough. In the race, I panicked before jumping in. The moment I realized I had bagged a bronze, I recall it vividly: I understood that all the sacrifices I had made till then hadn't been for naught."
Giulia didn't want to miss the opportunity to compete at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, where she clinched a gold and three bronzes a mere forty days after giving birth. She returned to the pool to train as soon as she received the green light from the doctors. "It was an intense period, but the goal was too important," recollected the Paralympic swimming queen, with her sights set on the 2028 games in Los Angeles. "There are three years left, but I'm training, albeit not yet at full throttle. I've been competing, I participated in the World Cup in Lignano Sabbiadoro last month. At the same time, however, I'm also taking some time for myself, after the physical effort of Paris," explained Terzi, who stresses, "I struggled with a strong sense of guilt, leaving my son Edoardo for training and competitions, but I was fortunate. My partner and my family ensured I had the necessary help. And the Paralympics revolved around my son. I want to be the best athlete possible, but also the perfect mother for him."
In Paris, her partner Stefano Raimondi also swam, securing five golds and a silver. Terzi shares both the sporting and family endeavors with Raimondi.
Due to her successes in the pool and her professional life (holding two degrees in Political and Social Sciences and Law, as well as an MBA), Terzi isn't immune to criticism. She notes that, just like many mothers, she's often doubted when it comes to raising a child, and frequently asked if Edoardo is truly hers. The idea of a disabled mother is still not widely accepted, perhaps because there are few examples. There's still much to be done on inclusion and society's attitude towards disability, as it is still viewed as a significant limitation, making it hard to envision disabled women, workers, and mothers. To all women with disabilities aspiring to become parents, she advises consulting their doctors: if there are no contraindications for you and your child, you can face parenthood by organizing your life appropriately and meeting your own needs.
Edoardo is growing up, but he's too young to understand his parents' disabilities, which they will address at an appropriate time. "What I wish for my son is that he grows up happy and unfazed by my disability, the ableism I face daily," Terzi voiced. "We will raise him with empathy and respect. Every day he's in contact with disability, but education doesn't solely originate from the family. For the time being, we're protecting him, selecting environments like the nursery, fully accessible to me, enabling him to experience everything that involves us parents just like other kids. Then, I hope he encounters intelligent people, in a more empathetic and inclusive society."
And what does Giulia Terzi wish for herself? The champion chuckles, "I still have so many minor and major dreams to realize, one day at a time. For the time being, let's focus on the upcoming races: the World Championships in Singapore are drawing near, the selection lists will be released after the Italian Championships in July. And then, surrounded by the love of people who care about me, is the push that drives me to keep improving, as a person and as an athlete."
In Giulia Terzi's journey, she seeks to find balance not only in her sports career but also in her education and self-development. She holds degrees in Political and Social Sciences, Law, and an MBA, demonstrating her commitment to continual learning and personal growth.
In the realm of health-and-wellness, Giulia wants a society that fosters more empathy and inclusion towards persons with disabilities, normalizing their roles as parents, workers, and active members in society. She aspires for her son Edoardo to grow up in a world that looks beyond her disability, where he is educated about respect and acceptance towards all.
