Student with dwarfism becomes Granma's first disabled physical education teacher

At 17 years old, Amalia González Jiménez has made history in Cuba's Granma province, graduating as the first physical education teacher with a disability.

Born in Yara on October 18, 2008, Amalia was diagnosed with dwarfism at one year old, with doctors predicting she would never walk. Her mother, Berenia Jiménez, a nurse, recounted the difficult pregnancy and the shock of the diagnosis. Initial prognoses at an international orthopedic congress suggested Amalia would not walk, prompting a visit to Havana's Frank País Hospital. There, specialists in orthopedics, spine, and lower limbs provided operations, treatments, and rehabilitation, enabling Amalia to take her first steps.

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When she took her first steps, we felt we had achieved everything, but we never imagined she would become an athlete and a teacher.

"When she took her first steps, we felt we had achieved everything," her mother said, "but we never imagined she would become an athlete and a teacher." Amalia's mother emphasized not overprotecting her daughter, always asking if she believed she could do something, to which Amalia consistently responded affirmatively. This fostered a strong sense of self-assurance in the young woman.

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Do you think you can, Amalia?

Amalia's athletic journey began in a multipurpose room, where she practiced shot put and javelin. Later, coach Ramón Martínez recognized her potential in weightlifting, a discipline she began in eighth grade. Her dedication to sports led her to the Provincial School of Physical Education (EPEF), where she studied for three years. She graduated as the top overall student in her class of 28, excelling in her final project with a perfect score.

Her sports achievements are extensive. Competing in the Rookie category, she won two gold and three silver medals in Mexico in 2023. The following year, she secured two titles and two bronze medals in China, both individually and as part of a team. At the World Championships in Egypt, she earned two gold medals, breaking her category's world record four times. Her success continued at the Parapan American Youth Games in Chile, where she won four medals.

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Amalia has demonstrated the capacity to learn autonomously, adapt to different situations, and maintain motivation for study. Furthermore, she is disciplined, organized, and strives for relevant results.