"I love the sense of satisfaction that I get when I’ve done a swimming workout or race, and know that I gave my whole being and heart to God in every moment of the swim. It’s the best worship I can offer him."
Terezinha Guilhermina
Terezinha Guilhermina is one of the greatest Paralympians ever. She competes in the T11 class (totally blind). She has won medals at the 2004, 2008 and 2012. In 2016 she will compete in her home country, Brazil.
On your marks.
As well as her 3 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze Paralympic medals, she has won 7 World Championship medals. The highlight of her career has been London 2012. She told me. “London was the most special competition of my life. I prepared myself real well physically, psychologically and spiritually for it. It was a present of God for me, that competition, the Games in London, in all aspects”.
Talking to Stuart at the last World Championships
Terezinha was born blind – she is one of 12 children and 5 of them have visual impairement. She described herself as having 5% vision. She is a Christian; how does she reconcile her disability with a creator. Does she blame God? “No, I don’t believe that God made a mistake when He made me blind. He simply gave the eyes to someone that was besides me, so that when I needed them I could borrow them”.
Running with her guide
When Usain Bolt was in Rio, he had a go as Terezinha's guide
With Alan Oliveira and Yohansson Nascimento in Doha this week
The IPC has just produced a video on Terezinha as part of their preview of the IPC World Athletics Championships in Qatar in October 2015.