"Strength does not derive from physical abilities, but from an indomitable will"Said Mahatma Gandhi. It is this will, this force, this desire to live that athletes in the Paralympics Defense Group (GSPD) are fed. They, military before even athletes, those who risked to die to keep faith in the oath, those whose lives in a moment have taken away are witnesses of an important message: never surrender.
This is demonstrated in the sports events, the last of the Invictus Games in Toronto, but also in the official meetings, such as the organized one, last October 6 in Cuorgnè, from the Socialist Culture and Social Policy Committee of the Piedmontese Municipality,Parachutist Association of Canavese. To take part is Lieutenant Colonel Paratrooper Gianfranco Paglia, captain of the GSPD, the first parachutist marshal Simone Careddu and the pilot paratrooper colonel Carlo Calcagni. The latter himself stated: "It was a great honor to be present at Cuorgne for the event organized by the Friends of the Canadian Parachutists Association, without neglecting any details and making me really feel at home. I hope everyone has come out of this enriched day, as no doubt I came out. It is always important for me to bear my testimony and I will continue to do so until my last breath".
An intense day that lived in Cuorgne: in the morning the meeting with the students of the schools of the Institute "25 April" and in the evening with the citizenship. Event where athletes told, supported by some movies, their experience of life. A testimony to the GSPD that can always give emotions, a vehicle of a strong message: to continue to struggle with courage and courage in spite of everything and everyone, finding the ability to turn an adventurous event into a new opportunity, a strong point .
"Sport is a passion - said Colonel Calcagni - but also solidarity and inclusion. It is surely the most effective way to break down the barriers and the psycho-physical recovery of a person with different abilities. We at GSPD are a real demonstration of how important it is to make a group".
Sport, passion for the bike, but above all the will are the ingredients that "sweeten" the life of Carlo Calcagni, reformed with a permanent 100% invalidity due to cause and service incidents during an international peace mission. "I turned a page - admits the colonel - I started a new chapter in my life: the struggle to live and be an example. I consider this the most important of my battles, because I can save not only my life, but also that of many others, many more than those I have saved in my missions. The secret is in the will, just so I can get up in the morning, often after sleepless nights for the tremendous pain, with one purpose: to be an example, find the energy to get on my bike, my car of salvation. I accept everything so long as I can get on my horse and keep on living. I concentrate my heart, my head and my legs and start pedaling. The pains, constantly strong, suddenly fade and I feel better, I feel 'normal'. Of course it's not easy, in fact, every time it's getting harder and harder, but I do not give up because it's just when the going gets tough that the tough guys start playing".
