An RBD fan loses his sight after strong emotions and becomes a judo champion
In 2006, Brenda Freitas was one of 50,000 people at the Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro, and she was as emotional as an RBD show. In season, She was 11 years old He had no idea that this uproar would change his life forever.
After the show, Brenda, accompanied by her mother and sister, He returned home with a severe headache. And when he woke up the next day, I didn’t see.
“I went straight to the kitchen, and asked who was there, and then my mother said: Oh, that’s me, my daughter. And then I said: Wow, mom, didn’t you turn on the light, are you in the kitchen, in the dark? She: No, the light is on. Then I said : Mom, I can’t see anything, I can’t see anything, everything is black.
Katia Souza, Brenda’s mother, took her daughter to the hospital, She was hospitalized for 27 days. She was examined by Dr. Mario Motta, a retina and pediatric eye specialist.
“Brenda had an infection of the retina caused by the herpes virus, which is called acute retinal necrosis. Herpes of the retina is rare, and when left untreated it leads to loss of vision. When a person’s immunity is lowered due to anything, due to stress or fatigue, The virus manifests itself,” explains the doctor.
Brenda has undergone five surgeries To try to save the vision. “The disease even cured but it had already affected the retina to the point that it did not recover visually“, says doctor Mario Motta.
At that time, Brenda began researching martial arts for the blind and visually impaired Discover the Benjamin Constant Institute, the educational foundation for people with visual impairment, (Urca, southern region of Rio de Janeiro). There, I was introduced to judo lessons taught by Professor Antonio Junior.
“To my pleasant surprise, she came and started training and devoted herself,” the professor says. “She was called to go to a training phase for the Brazilian team and the results began to show in international competitions.”
Today, at the age of 28, She is the First in the world classification for the J1 category for the completely blind.
“There was a moment when I didn’t think I was capable of doing things. Today, judo in my life has given me independence. I go and come back alone. I ride the subway alone. Judo is my life.”
But it is not only judo that helps and encourages Brenda. RBD never leaves her memory.
“His songs and what they always conveyed to us was never give up on your dreams, and that’s what got me through a lot of things. That’s why I still love them because they represent that to me. I’m so emotional.”
Brenda wouldn’t miss the opportunity to enjoy another band show. “I think in the same way it all started back then, I think this show is also a new beginning for me, but now in a different way, and in a good way.”
This time was special: Brenda was able to meet her idols nearby.
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