After a successful 2015 edition in support of the You Are A Hero Foundation after it’s establishment that same year, approximately 200 participants gathered last July at Hemingway, the starting point at the Sea Aquarium Beach for another Bootcamp Curaçao RUN. The foundation aims to help people with physical challenges remain active in society and live out of isolation, by encouraging them to engage in sports and physical activities.

The founder of You are a Hero, Aksel Cijntje, born in Curaçao, suffered from a spinal cord injury in 2011. He gained  self-confidence, motivation and strength with the handbike sport. In October 2015 Aksel and his companion Sydney participated at the Bootcamp Run from their wheelchair and demonstrated what a person with a disability is capable of doing.

For the second year, Bootcamp Curaçao organized another fund raising run, where contestants completed various assignments during a three kilometers trail run at the Bapor Kibra area, to then complete an obstacle course, and finally swim about 200 meters for the last leg of the race.

Representing team Events Magazine, Sheila (the director) and I signed up for the FUN run portion. This decision almost became the death of me, since this was the first obstacle course/run I ever signed up for. Sheila tugged at my heartstrings for the noble cause and I vowed that I would finish the race at all cost. She was the ultimate cheerleader, although a little worried that we would not make it to the finish line before sunset. Thankfully we did, as the second to last team, at 1 hour and 52 respectful minutes and 30 seconds. What matters is that we persevered and didn’t quit! I’m not sure if Sheila will pick me as a partner again, but we laughed so much and had an amazing time exploring Curaçao’s epic scenery. After successfully completing the run, we enjoyed a much needed massage on the beach, a couple of drinks at sunset and a great performance by “Sudden Impact” into the warm starry night. It was a fabulous ending to a very rewarding day.

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In October 2016 the foundation invited eight hand bike professionals from Holland on the island, three of which have been given a Paralympics title. The handbike sport was flowing in the streets of the island for the first time! Curaçao inhabitants with a disability could participate thanks to hand bikes provided by the Dutch Paralympics. It was a victory and the start of a new sport!! The foundations priority is to start a hand bike association with a safe training course, following the approval from the Curaçao government to create accessible trails on the island to practice the handbike sport.

 

Would you like to contribute to the 

foundation with participation or a donation? 

For more information visit www.you-are-a-hero.org

or contact: info@you-are-a-hero.org 

Curaçao Representative: Alette Borger 

aletteborger@gmail.com