AYBAR DIAZ Lourdes Alejandra

Classification
S8, SB6, SM8 (IPC, 17 Mar 2021)

Origin of Impairment
Congenital (Athlete, 09 Sep 2019)

Impairment Details
She has osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition characterised by fragile bones that break easily. (Athlete, 09 Sep 2019)

General
EARLY DAYS
She says she often did not feel like she fitted in during her youth, but that she has since come to accept her impairment and individuality. "Growing up in a small neighbourhood was hard because I was different. Everybody stared and whispered in front of me. I felt terrible. I only had one friend. Despite this, I faced physical challenges with courage, but I felt empty inside, as if something were missing. There were many moments that I tried to fit in with the patterns of 'normality' that people are used to but in the end I understood that there is nothing wrong with me and that I do not need to look like anyone or be 'normal'. All my experiences have been building my character and have turned me into the human being that I am today and I am grateful for it. Swimming has made me feel empowered and has helped me to love myself. I now love every part of my body and wearing swimsuits. I feel beautiful. I also have friends who love me just as I am." (santodomingocorre.com, 09 Apr 2020; paralympics.org, 12 Mar 2021)

OTHER ACTIVITIES
She has done speaking engagements, including a graduation speech at Santo Domingo Institute of Technology in 2020, and has been invited to give a TEDx talk. (paralympics.org, 12 Mar 2021)

She became the first swimmer representing the Dominican Republic to win a medal at the Parapan American Games, when she claimed silver in the women's SB6 100m breaststroke at the 2019 Games in Lima, Peru. (paralympic.org, 12 Mar 2021)

At the 2017 World Championships in Mexico City, Mexico, she became the first Para swimmer representing the Dominican Republic to compete in a world championship final. (paralympic.org, 03 Jul 2019; SportsDeskOnline, 13 May 2020)