At 64 years old, Eugenio Santana Franco from Brazil is set to make his debut at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, ranking among the older athletes in para-archery. He carries a compelling and inspirational story, having previously worked as a nurse.
Eugenio shared his experiences treating numerous children, many of whom faced the prospect of limb amputations. “I would tell them about things they could still do,” he recalled. Often, the children would respond expressing their doubts about their abilities, saying, “Sir, I’m sorry, I won’t be able to, I’ll have no legs.” To encourage them, Eugenio began sharing videos of para-archery, highlighting athletes like Matt Stutzman as examples of what was possible.
His aim was to inspire those who were navigating significant life changes and feeling as though their worlds were falling apart. “Years later, I showed them videos of myself,” he noted proudly.
Sitting in a wheelchair, Eugenio detailed his health struggles, including various diseases that have impacted his mobility. “I suffer from Ankylosing spondylitis, diabetes, hypertension, and Parkinson’s. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with a heart aneurysm that can’t be treated surgically,” he explained.
Eugenio’s condition, Ankylosing spondylitis, has confined him to a wheelchair. He described the disease, which causes stiffness in the joints, noting that it began in 2011, taking several years for a proper diagnosis. “In the beginning, I used a cane, then crutches, and eventually ended up in a wheelchair.”
Despite his challenges, Eugenio’s determination has remained strong. “I’ve worked all my life with patients and witnessed a variety of conditions and difficulties, so I took it naturally. I was somehow used to that,” he said.
He encouraged others facing adversity to maintain a positive outlook. “It’s the best you can do. That can happen to anyone. You need to approach it with a smile and take the best out of it.”