The idea was this: cross Calabria from north to south on wheels. Nothing extraordinary, if done with the forces – physical and mental – of an ordinary boy who turns a sports company after an adequate training. But we are talking about more: The wheels are those of an electrified handbikebuilt on purpose for those who drive it. And the boy is not any type: it’s called Salvatore Cristiano Misasi (but everyone calls him only Cristiano), Calabrian, who since the child is suffering from spastic tetraparesisa form of cerebral paralysis that affects the voluntary muscles of the limbs, leading to deficit in sensitivity and motor control. Cristiano succeeded, he recently finished the company he dreamed of: crossing his region overcoming all kinds of limit and effort, to show everyone that a world without barriers is not only not impossible, but it would be far better.
In the footsteps of the brigands
The company has not been recently: 545 kilometers, routes in 12 stagesthrough the National Pollino and Sila parks, the Regional Natural Park of the Serre and the Aspromonte National Park. Started with Laino BorgoCristiano crossed in 12 days The Calabro territory in the past beaten by the brigands and inhabited by the wolves, so much so that it baptized its adventure “The brigand in handbike”. The arrival on the Reggio Calabri seafrontA marked a victory, against himself and against disability.
“Mine was a social journey, which gave me the opportunity to get out of my area of comfort and raise the bar of the limits with which I clash every day”, comments Cristiano, “showing everyone – disabled and not – that life is always worthy of being lived, even a life like mine, full of difficulty”. The Calabrian “brigand” is a B.Liver, that is, a member of the community of Bolt Foundation, promoter of the initiativenon -profit organization that accompanies teenagers and young adults with important pathologies to the rediscovery of their identity beyond the disease, helping them to reintegrate into social and professional life.
In addition, the company was supported by the Barilla Group, with the patronage of the Calabria Region, Italian Paralympic Committee and Coni – Regional Section, Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria, Federparchi and Ciclovia Parchi Calabria.
Inspiration from two special friends
The idea of this journey was born from a meeting in 2018. The one with Alessandro and Federico Villa, two Brothers both suffering from Atassia di Friatreicha rare neurodegenerative disease, who have made sport their life and weapon of social redemption. Thanks to the “small 3ruote devils” (the Handcycling amateur sports non -profit organization that they founded, which are part of disabled and able -bodied athletes) have made extraordinary travels in Canada, Colombia, Mexico and other countries. “Knowing Alessandro and Federico changed my life»Says Cristiano. “They” adopted “me like a minor little brother, helping me to have a different maturity towards life, teaching me to be more autonomous not only outside, but also at home in daily activities. In short, they made me understand that I could be “cool” even if in a wheelchair». And then the spark took place. “Looking at the documentary of Alessandro’s handbike journey – from New Orleans to Memphis in the United States in 2007 – I felt it was time to throw myself into a whole adventure and that I could do it,” says Cristiano, who still today, when he is down rope, confides to watch those images and find a smile.
A personalized handbike
The preparation of the journey through Calabria was long and complex. «In practice From two handbikes I created one. A prototype, adapted to my needs », explains the” brigand “. “From a model I took the electric motor (indispensable to overcome the differences in height), of the second instead I used the braking system and safety systems, to make the pace more fluid and the most competitive handbike”. A challenge that has led to not indifferent labors, from a psychological and physical point of view.
“From a mental point of view,” continues Cristiano, “the biggest effort was to make the possible to get to the start, on June 1, without neglecting any detail, because I was in a position to manage any unexpected. On the physical side, in addition to the previous training – the exercise bike and parallel – during the trip The largest obstacle was the heatespecially in the long stretches in the plains. There were moments when my eyes closed for the effort, but I kept hard trying to better manage the energies and concentrating the greatest number of kilometers in the morning and a minor portion in the afternoon, when I was more tired ». We are talking about 545 km, with a positive difference in altitude of 10,240 meters and negative of 10,510, the maximum altitude reached is 1,565 meters near Lake Arvo in the Sila Park: Each stage included about 56 km and very few have been on the cycle path, most was on provincial roads even if not very busy.
And throughout this road, Christian had his faithful companion, The wheelchair, driven by handbike. «It was an important support, not only for the stops, but also because in the narrow streets and in the most impervious differences in height it was the only means I managed to pass, because the team of the team in my following was too bulky. In addition, I used it to transport small spare parts, which allowed me to make some quick repairs along the way ».
The last kilometers with his friend Alessandro
The whole trip was a chain of emotionsbut the arrival in Reggio Calabria made the company unforgettable. “On the seafront waiting for me there was Alessandro: I hooked his wheelchair to my handbike and we traveled the last stretch together to the finish. It was a tribute to himI owed it. He inspired me and without his courage and determination I would never have come here, “says Cristiano. “It was also a tribute to my landhard and beautiful, to which I wanted to return the warmth and affection received so far ».
Writing as a new life dimension
Before this sporting milestone, Cristiano had achieved other important results: the scientific high school, university studies of jurisprudence And then the work, which today makes it satisfied. «I looked for it so much and in the end I found it: My dimension is writing. He manages to bring out the deepest part of me and this happens in a simple way, without effort, “he continues. «On paper I can express what I feel without stumbled about words, without stopping to take breath, respecting times and ways that are only mine. Writing saved me, making me understand that I can do a lot for others, but first of all for myself ». And so for some years the Calabrian boy He collaborates as an editor with Bolt Foundationengaged in the drafting of the Barilla newsletter, a monthly dedicated to inclusion, making the story and narration an instrument of sharing and redemption, at the service of those who still seek their own way and space in society.
Friendly dialogue with God
“I think God never abandon meeven if sometimes I get angry with him, “says Cristiano about his faith. «We have a strange, almost” human “relationship, because When I please talk to him how I did with my father. A friendly, direct and sincere comparison, without omissions. From my father I learned to talk to others in compliance with the interlocutor, and so I also commit when I pray: they are … conversations on sometimes, but always constructive ». The vision of the world and life changes a lot if you are forced on a wheelchair, opening voracies of sadness and despair not always easy to manage and accept, arousing anxieties and questions that risk remaining unanswered. Cristiano the answers found them.
“I believe that God has faced me with very hard tests To overcome, but I think he did it To get closer to him. If things are always good for us – let’s say the truth – we rarely feel the need for God. It is not fair but it is so. I learned to fight my battles with the awareness that in what I do there is a drawing, and faith is an extra strength – the one I don’t have in my legs and arms – that helps me not to surrender and continue on my way, always going further ».
Photo © Alessandro Beltrame
