BEZERRA de MENEZES Debora

Classification
K44 (World Taekwondo, 27 May 2020)

Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency (rededoesporte.gov.br, 06 Feb 2019)

Origin of Impairment
Congenital (rededoesporte.gov.br, 06 Feb 2019)

Impairment Details
She was born without the lower part of her right arm. (rededoesporte.gov.br, 06 Feb 2019)

General
DEALING WITH HER IMPAIRMENT
She says she struggled to accept herself and her impairment in her youth, but that sport played an important role in helping her to accept her impairment. Before taking up Para taekwondo, she played futsal for 12 years, competed in Para athletics at national level in Brazil and also practised sitting volleyball. "To be honest, I didn't know how to behave with my impairment. My parents didn't either, but they always encouraged me. They said that life could not stop. It was important, mainly when I didn't want to go to school anymore, because if kids see something different they point it out. My mother came along with me to school for one year, to protect me. That strength was important for me to become who I am today. It [sport] was transforming. It broke many taboos and prejudices, even the one I had of not accepting myself like I am. I couldn't even look at myself in the mirror until I was 18 years old. Sport has an important meaning in my life. I found it a big ally to deal with my impairment." (rededoesporte.gov.br, 06 Feb 2019, 09 May 2019)

OCCUPATION
She has served as physical education teacher in Brazil. "Physical education played an important role in my life. That's why I decided to do it [professionally], to inspire and help other people to fulfil their dreams." (rededoesporte.gov.br, 09 May 2019)

She became the first Brazilian Para taekwondo athlete to claim a gold medal at the world championships when she won the K44 +58kg event at the 2019 edition in Antalya, Turkey. (diomartkd.com.br, 06 Feb 2020; SportsDeskOnline, 27 May 2020)