Nadia Bala overcomes epilepsy by pursuing her lifelong passion: volleyball.

At twenty-six, she discovered she had this disease and, after a few months of despair, she decided to fight back by continuing to do what she had always loved. So she started playing sitting volleyball.

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VOLLEYBALL FOR THE DISABLED

NADIA BALA

Since she was little, Nadia has always had a boundless love for volleyball . A sport that has given her so much, especially during the most critical moment of her life. At 26, this girl from Rovigo discovered she had epilepsy . Her initial reaction, understandably, wasn't the best, and she locked herself at home for two months. But thanks to the world of sport, she was able to find new motivation and a renewed zest for life that allowed her to face the disease head on. Volleyball was crucial in this journey because, as a team sport, it reminded her even more what it means to help each other in times of difficulty. So she decided to dedicate herself wholeheartedly to sitting volleyball , the Paralympic sport that allows her to play using only her upper limbs. A way to continue having fun in a positive and constructive way, it pushed Nadia to commit herself not only to herself but also to others.

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SPORTS FOR THE DISABLED

This Paralympic sport, in fact, represents an opportunity for Nadia to get back into the game and live a full life . A belief that, just a few months after discovering her illness, led her to a true relaunch: in May 2014, exactly one year after her first seizure, Nadia founded the association "Vinci l'epilepsy ," of which she became president. Through this volunteer organization, she created a "sitting volleyball" team, which collaborates with the Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV).

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VOLLEYBALL FOR THE DISABLED

Those with epilepsy can't play sports at a "regular" level, but at the same time, they aren't recognized among the categories that participate in activities for the disabled . For this reason, it was important for Nadia to find an activity that would allow her to play competitively and fill this void. Thus, with her association, she has been able to promote sports for epilepsy sufferers while simultaneously training at a high level, so much so that she's been a member of the national sitting volleyball team. To achieve this, she started from the basics, and not without difficulty, being accustomed to "real" volleyball. Then, however, she began to fall in love with this sport, which, she believes, anyone with a physical disability and good pelvic control can play. It's an activity that might not be popular, but for Nadia, it's worth trying at least once in a lifetime: "Because seeing it is one thing, but trying it is another."

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NADIA BALA EPILEPSY

But in the life of Nadia Bullet It's not just epilepsy and her extraordinary response, which demonstrates that life shouldn't be wasted, even in very difficult circumstances. More than an athlete, and also a television host, Nadia she considers herself a mother: in 2020, in fact, little Francesco was born and the family of Nadia has expanded. And in the meantime she has also graduated in Economic Law with a thesis on social inclusion and continues, with the University of Padua, to be the protagonist of the first team of sitting volleyball created in Italy.

( The images are taken from Nadia Bala 's Facebook page )

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