Life always throws obstacles at us, but the attitude with which we face them depends on us. He is a perfect example of how with determination and perseverance even big problems can become interesting challenges. Of course, and although it took time, he managed to find the formula to not give up on his dreams.
Teresa Diaz, 23, is one of the province's greatest ever rowing talents. Internationally from the lower categories, he has earned several medals in ocean sailing and various Olympic sailing categories. Unfortunately, health issues forced him to take a break in 2021, but he was reborn like a phoenix, stronger than ever. In 2022 she went to the U23 World Cup and was crowned European champion in the beach sprint skiff and runner-up in the mixed double sculls. And, last weekend, she was declared runner-up in Spain in the lightweight skiff, only to be overtaken by her countrywoman Natalia de Miguel, thus achieving a milestone for the Málaga Games. And, for the first time in history, two men from the Costa del Sol will compete together in the pre-Olympics, seeking a passport to Paris in the double sculls.
Teresa is going through her best moment, with a smile that no longer fades from her face… but everything was not a bed of roses. Just as her successful career was taking off, Teresa suffered a serious setback. In 2021, the young woman from Málaga left the sport for an entire year after she was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that causes blood clots, among other diseases. “It was something I had genetically, but it 'came up', so to speak, when I took birth control pills. Now I'm on anticoagulant treatment,” he explains.
This deformity caused blood clots to form in his lungs, due to which he was admitted to the hospital due to breathing problems. “I left the game for a year. At first I didn't know what happened to me, I just felt pain, but I thought it was just muscle. But they started doing tests on me and when they found out, they told me I would never be able to go sailing or anything again, they restricted my food a lot, they told me I couldn't even have beer. Can drink. ..”, he remembers his ordeal.
A hell that was psychological, even more than physical: “I didn't have depression, but emotionally I was so bad then, I was afraid that due to a stroke or an accelerated heart rate I might bleed out, which would lead to my death. Maybe…” I was admitted to the hospital, it became difficult for me to breathe and everything. “I was bitter.”
Fortunately, he later found a more optimistic doctor who, with proper treatment and precautions, showed him that he could live a 'normal' life. “I also thank my teammates Natalia and Celia (de Miguel) and Marta (de las Heras), who came to my house one day, managed to get me out and I started coming back.” With the support of those close to him, his doctor's optimism and his willpower, he returned to create history.
(TagstoTranslate)Calvary(T)Teresa(T)Diaz(T)Disease
