Victoria Alex travelled five kilometers in a taxi from Gudele 2 on the city’s outskirts to participate in a game of wheelchair basketball at the Nimra Talata Stadium in the capital Juba. She looks comfortable, sporting a huge smile and a red match uniform.  

She is ready for action, and to celebrate both the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December) and the International Day of Human Rights (10 December).

“Yeah, we didn’t know anything about this game coming up, but we thank the International Committee of the Red Cross wo decided to arrange it and to include us,” said 29-year-old Victoria on the day of the activity, which was also supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

“People who have never watched wheelchair basketball will enjoy it, and they will be happy because they have never seen persons with disabilities engage in sports”, she added.

Victoria became paralyzed by polio when she was only a year and a half old, but she has not allowed the disease to stop her from pursuing a good education and employment. In fact, she holds a university degree in Social and Community Services and operates a business saloon to support her family of seven.

Ms. Alex credits wheelchair basketball for her good health and happiness.

 “I like it a lot. It is good fun, and I know that it is great exercise for parts of my body when I get to play. It makes me feel happy, and fresh, and it shows that you can be fit and healthy also when you have a disability.”