Who are you? Tell yourself.

My name is Federico Rossi and I was born in Schio on May 5, 1994. I have always had a great passion for sport and life, passed on by my family. I was born without a disability and I was able to enjoy the life of an able-bodied person for 14 years, carrying out many activities, including sport, which has always been a very important part of life for me, together with music, a complementary interest that is still a part of me too.

Why did you choose this word to represent yourself?

I chose the word “determination”, because it is a term that I feel represents everything I am. It identifies me on a very deep level, as determination is what has allowed me have a positive outlook on life, day after day, from the very first few months of my new life, when I tried my hardest to overcome the limitations that using a wheelchair entails. It is my determination that makes me want to push all the boundaries, regardless of the difficulties which I carry with me; yet, thanks to the determination that is part of who Federico is, I succeed in trying and giving my best every day and possibly in motivating some of the people who look up to me. I am sure determination can convey the desire and grit to believe in your dreams, day after day.

To get to where you are, you had to strongly believe in yourself, in your idea, in your project: do you therefore think that believing in something with conviction always makes it possible?

I strongly believe that with effort and determination we can achieve any goal we set for ourselves every day. It will certainly require effort, dedication and time, but one day the goal will become reality.

Your area of origin is full of inventors, entrepreneurs, artists, writers and sportsmen who, with talent and stubbornness, dedicate every day of their lives to putting into practice what they believe in to make their dreams come true, overcoming their limits. What has the territory you come from transmitted to you? And how do you feel about it?

I believe that living in Schio gives me an edge, the pleasant joy of experiencing what my land has to offer every day, the possibility of training with commitment and passion. The majestic mountains that surround Schio are certainly a great help in preparing me to meet great challenges. I feel a burning sense of gratitude for the area I live in, for being able to enjoy it every day and for all that I have managed to accomplish in the years before the beginning of my new adventure in a wheelchair, and that is why I really feel that Schio is my town. Feeling that I belong to Schio also means making others understand how a person with disabilities can transform all this into great strength, an amazing resolve to follow my dreams.

Are you aware that yours is an “EXTRAordinary” story? And what do you think makes it truly “EXTRAordinary”?

Super question! “Extraordinary” seems a very big word. However, I understand more and more how my story and my daily life can indeed make someone smile who is more fragile than I am. Knowing that there are people who are finding it very difficult to face life every day really impels me to believe and work on myself as much as I possibly can because I feel that my presence, my testimony and the story of how I was able to take my life in my own hands once again, and of how I try to live every day, can be an inspiration for others.