Giulia’s Story, After the Fall My name is Giulia. I was 19 when my life changed. It was October 6th, 2011. As summer came to a close, so did a brief chapter in my love life. I was riding home on a scooter with him when we slipped. It wasn’t a crash you’d see in a movie, just a sudden fall. But I twisted backward, and something in my back snapped.
At first, my foot hurt. Then the pain moved up. I didn’t pass out right away, I remember sounds, lights, the ambulance. After that, things get hazy. I woke up after surgery and knew right away something was wrong. There was something off about my legs, almost as if they weren’t mine anymore. I couldn’t feel them. I told my family I could, just to protect them.
We’d already spent too much time in hospitals because of my brother’s illness. I didn’t want to put them through more. The doctors later confirmed it: incomplete paraplegia. I’d need a wheelchair from now on. My parents were in shock. I wasn’t.
I already knew. Before the accident, I was active. I played volleyball and tennis. I thought I’d be a coach one day. Suddenly I had to relearn everything. It was scary. I made jokes to stay strong, jokes my family didn’t like, but they helped me cope.
Rehabilitation was long. During it, I met Andrea, a young physio student doing his internship. He was kind, and funny, and one day he said, “When I graduate, let’s go to Australia together.” I laughed. I didn’t believe him. But he kept showing up. At first as a friend.
Slowly, something more. Being loved like this was something I never saw coming. I wasn’t sure I loved myself. But Andrea saw me, really saw me. Eventually, I believed he’d stay. And he did. We’ve now traveled to over 20 countries together.
He’s carried me up ancient steps on his back. We’ve figured out how to do life on wheels, with love, and a lot of patience. I still don’t walk. Maybe I never will. But I drive. I cook. I work. I live. If you’re reading this and feel stuck, please know this: things can still be beautiful.
Maybe different, maybe harder, but still full of joy. Find what makes you feel free. For me, it was travel. For you, it might be something else. But don’t let people decide what’s possible for you. Be the one who keeps going.
