Mauritania: A beneficiary of Tdh at London 2012 Paralympics!
10 Aug 2012 Specialised careMauritania
Some years ago, a young girl had to be operated on for a malformation of her leg. Today, she is on her way to compete in the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.
Fatimetou was born with a serious malformation of her left leg, where she lacked a femur. She met Terre des hommes in 2001 when she was nine years old. In the framework of the project ‘Journey to Life’, Tdh supported the partner hospital in Pamplona, Spain, where Fatimatou had undergone four operations in two years. On her return to Mauritania, full of hope for a new life, she decided to make the best of her handicap by launching herself into athletics.
Despite the fact that there was no public service for sports training in Mauritania, Fatimetou was able to find a trainer and worked hard day for day in a house formerly designed for children and teenagers.
Today she is 20, and Fatimetou Mamadou Mbodj has already won three gold medals in national competitions. She is the only Mauritanian woman to reach such a high level. As she has succeeded the qualifications for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, she will compete in the athletic events of shot putting, discus and javelin throwing as from next August 29th.
“We wish her every success. This trip is in itself one, and considering the will and engagement of Fatimetou, it certainly won’t be the last!” said Marie-Jeanne Hautbois, Terre des hommes delegate in Mauritania.
