As Alejandro Albor rounds the corner on his handcycle, it’s anyone’s race. It’s his last chance at Paralympic gold in Beijing.
One kilometer to go.
Alejandro is neck and neck with two others. Ahead is a sharp twist in the road. They all sprint to get the best position. Suddenly, the South African handcyclist next to Alejandro loses control. His bike tips onto two wheels. He runs into Alejandro, forcing him into a wall and causing him to lose momentum.
Alejandro works furiously to build up the momentum again but there isn’t enough time left. He loses the gold medal by four yards, taking silver.
He was extremely disappointed, as any true competitor would be. The truth was, however, that before the race began he hadn’t even expected to place in the top three.
What a Difference a Year Can Make
When Disaboom first started following Alejandro’s journey to Beijing, Alejandro was the No. 1 handcyclist in the country. He was in top shape both physically and mentally and was confident that Paralympic gold was within his grasp. Less than a year later, everything had changed.
During a June training session, Alejandro was on his bike when he was hit by a van, dislocating his clavicle. He lost valuable training time and was in near-constant pain. Despite this setback, he was still able to qualify for the Paralympics.
If that wasn’t enough, while he was training in Colorado Springs, his wife called to tell him she wanted a divorce. A few weeks later in Beijing, just before he was to start his first race, a 9 ½ mile time trial that determined placement for the road race, his wife called to tell him the papers were ready to be signed.
Emotionally devastated, Alejandro lost it. As he competed in the time trial, his troubles lingered in the back of his mind. At first, he lacked focus. Then, he shook it off and was able to channel his anger into fuel for the race. He pushed harder, past the physical pain wracking his body. He credits the anger for helping him win a bronze that day.
History Repeating Itself?
Heartbreak, however, is not a new emotion for Alejandro. In fact, it was what triggered the chain of events that changed his life forever. At 18 years old, after his girlfriend broke up with him, Alejandro deliberately drove his car in front of an oncoming train in a suicide attempt that resulted in the loss of the use of his legs. Since that tragic day however, he has learned patience and perseverance. He has learned how to make it through difficult moments without giving up--and much of his newfound grit is due to his sport.
“When you are competing at a high level, your body lets you know how far you can go," Alejandro said. "When your muscles are cramping and you don’t think you can go on, that’s when your brain takes over. It says you can do this regardless. It makes you not only physically stronger but mentally tough, and those things carry over into other areas of your life.”
Alejandro works hard to apply this philosophy when dealing with difficult times in all areas of his life.
A New Strategy for Depression
Alejandro now knows that the way to overcome his depression is to stay busy, and to use his sport to heal himself. While many of his fellow athletes plan to hang up their wheels because of the financial sacrifice of competing in the Paralympics, Alejandro is going to train for the 2012 Paralympics.
After undergoing shoulder surgery, he plans to not only compete in handcycling but train in rowing and skiing as well. Participating in sports and pushing himself is what keeps him sane. Plus, he isn’t yet ready to give up that adrenaline rush that competing at a high level gives him.
Of this rush, Alejandro says, “Before the race begins, your muscles are tense—even though you’re paralyzed. Your mouth is dry. Your stomach is queasy. And you have to pee. But then they count down 5-4-3-2-1 and as they’re counting, you just want to go. Let me go! Then they finally yell ‘GO!’ and you release all your emotions. Everything is loose. There is nothing like that moment.”
Another great moment, Alejandro professes, “is being in front of the flag representing your nation with a medal and the crowd yelling ‘Go Alejandro!’ and ’Go USA!’”
It was especially exciting in China, Alejandro said, because the stadiums were full and people in China are much more into the Paralympic games than are people in America.
“In China, the Paralympians are respected as much as the able-bodied athletes.” In fact, while touring Beijing, Alejandro was frequently approached by people wanting to take their picture with him, an event that rarely happens to him in the U.S.
Exploring Beijing
Alejandro couldn’t tour China until his races were over, due to the risk of injury and food poisoning. After his last race was finished, however, he was eager to explore the sights and sounds of Beijing.
In the city, buses, taxis, and rickshaws filled the crowded streets, the military was a constant presence, and the air was filled with a cacophony of voices. The unfamiliar language was almost overwhelming to Alejandro’s senses. He found some relief in the smaller, more local spots away from the city where people were more spread out, stray dogs roamed the streets, and food could be found for two American quarters. These off-the-beaten-path areas allowed Alejandro an opportunity to mingle one-on-one.
Alejandro’s favorite thing about China was the people. He found them especially respectful and helpful. His second favorite thing? The Great Wall of China. Because Alejandro was a Paralympian and because he was in a wheelchair, he was allowed to tour the Great Wall for free.
Alejandro, a competitor in all things, was determined to make it to the top of the wall snaking through the hills. It required walking or rolling for part of it and climbing 2000 steps. Since Alejandro is able to walk with support, he abandoned the wheelchair and slowly made his way up the wall, impressing the surrounding tourists with his determination to do it without help. To Alejandro, the breathtaking panoramic view of the valleys and lakes below was well worth the effort.
Beyond the Paralympics
Alejandro is grateful for the opportunities that being in the Paralympics has provided him. He is grateful for those intense emotions before and after the races. He is grateful for the chance to meet people from different regions around the world and to experience different cultures.
Competing in the Paralympics is only part of Alejandro’s dream, however. When his Olympic days are over, he would like share his experiences and hard-won knowledge with people in countries where information and resources for people with disabilities is not readily available. He wants to serve as a role model, showing others with paraplegia that they can still live an active and engaged lifestyle.
Alejandro has come a long way since incurring his life-changing disability and has much to share. He has evolved from a boy without hope to a man who seeks to offer hope to others.
In the beginning, Disaboom thought it was following Alejandro’s quest for gold. However, it is a much more significant and universal quest that he is on: to make a difference in the world and to develop the strength and inner peace to meet whatever challenges lie around the next corner. Disaboom is honored to have been a part, however small, of his journey.
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