A story of remarkable courage and tenacity unfolded in the heart of Venice.
Beatrice “Bebe” Maria Vio, Italy’s most celebrated wheelchair fencer, transformed a life-altering tragedy into a beacon of hope and inspiration for millions.
At the tender age of 11, Bebe’s life took a dramatic turn when she contracted a severe case of meningitis.
The illness led to the loss of her arms and legs and left her with significant scars. For most, such an ordeal would have been insurmountable, but Bebe’s story was just beginning.
During her recovery, Bebe was introduced to the idea of wheelchair fencing, a sport that seemed worlds apart from her previous life. Initially, she was resistant.
“Fencing in a wheelchair?” she exclaimed. “No, that’s for handicapped people. I don’t want it!” Her response reflected a lack of understanding about her new reality.
Yet, it was this very moment of resistance that set the stage for an extraordinary transformation.
Bebe’s journey back to the sport she has come to love was not easy. With the unwavering support of her family and coaches, Federica Berton and Alice Esposito, she entered the world of wheelchair fencing.
Her determination to succeed was nothing short of phenomenal. In 2010, Bebe became the first athlete ever to fence with prosthetic arms, marking the start of a remarkable career.
The young athlete’s success on the piste was swift and dazzling. She clinched the Under 20 Italian Championship in 2011, followed by the overall title in the subsequent years.
Her victories included double gold at the 2014 Strasbourg Europeans and individual gold at the 2015 World Championships in Eger. Each triumph was not just a personal victory but a testament to her relentless spirit.
Bebe’s achievements extend beyond the sports arena. She passionately advocates for meningitis vaccination, leveraging her fame to raise awareness.
Her engagement with “Art4sport Onlus,” an organization she inspired her parents to create, promotes sports for young amputees, giving them hope and opportunities similar to those she embraced.
Bebe’s charisma and self-deprecating humor endear her to many. She once joked about her new role as a “selfie stick,” a playful nod to her prosthesis. This blend of humor and resilience has made her a beloved figure both in Italy and beyond.
When Bebe was invited to a formal dinner at the White House, she initially thought it was a prank.
Her genuine surprise and joy highlighted her down-to-earth nature. She embodies the belief that “being special means to be able to make people understand that your weakness can be one of the things you can be proud of the most.”
Bebe Vio’s story is a powerful reminder that it is not the obstacles we face but how we overcome them that defines us.
This is when to catch her live in action at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
09:00 – Women’s Foil Category B table of 32
10:10 – Women’s Foil Category B table of 16
12:10 – Women’s Foil Category B quarter-finals and repechages
14:40 – Women’s Foil Category B semi-finals
18:30 – Women’s Foil Category B bronze medal bout
20:15 – Women’s Foil Category B gold medal bout
10:00 – Women’s Foil Team table of 16
11:30 – Women’s Foil Team quarter-finals
14:10 – Women’s Foil Team semi-finals
17:30 – Women’s Foil Team bronze medal match
18:45 – Women’s Foil Team gold medal match
