Today we interview Juan Antonio, one of those people who, with few words and much truth, make you reconsider what you thought you knew about life, disability, and happiness. He describes himself as “just one more,” sometimes grumpy, sometimes boisterous, but always authentic. In this conversation, he talks about his way of understanding reduced mobility, the silences that heal, the challenges that are faced by praying or grumbling, and what it means to live fully, even when circumstances are not what one expected.

Tell us a bit about yourself: What’s your name, how old are you, and how would you like us to describe your situation as a person with reduced mobility? Juan Antonio. Honestly, happy.

For those who don’t know you in person, what qualities do you think define you? Well, I don’t know, I’m just one more, sometimes grumpy, quite cheerful, and since I speak loudly, some would say scandalously aggressive, though I don’t usually bite. (It’s usually the “polite” ones who complain the most about how I speak.)

What do you think has inspired your spirit of overcoming throughout your life? I believe a life is a collection of lived moments, and each moment has had its inspiration.

Is there any historical or fictional figure that inspires you? It depends on each period or moment of that life, from the Virgin Mary to Jesus given my Christian education, Kant, Meister Eckhart, Saint Teresa, Ibn Arabi… Each of them, as well as many people, always contribute something at every moment.

How has your perspective on limitations and possibilities evolved throughout your life? From thinking “what a pain” to living fully, embracing my circumstances.

Is there any event or encounter that made you “click” regarding your situation? A realization, an instant, and everything began to continue the same but living it differently.

How do you take care of yourself physically and mentally? For me, sport is a form of meditation.

And mentally, is there anything that helps you? Inner Silence.

Easy to say but not always so easy to achieve, can you share how you do it? I can only tell you that it’s as easy as letting everything happen and be as it is.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your life and how have you overcome them? Well, I honestly don’t know. Praying or grumbling at first, and then facing them, sometimes with help and sometimes alone.

What message would you give to those who are going through difficult times and need to find motivation?
To stop, to let the whirlwind of thoughts they’re in pass, and to know that everything will be resolved, and that when the time comes, they will find the answer and know what to do. Even if they don’t believe it.

On the path to inclusion and accessibility, what are the major milestones that are still pending? Or what major headlines would you like to read in a newspaper about inclusion and accessibility? That everything will continue to improve; from my point of view, great promises and headlines usually remain just that.

Is there any cliché about disability that you think is very present in society?

Well, honestly, I don’t know.

What are your next personal goals?

To continue living happily.

Is there any message you’d like to send to AsoPMR members or anything you’d like to add?

Life is to be lived, not thought about. Let things come and enjoy them, even if you don’t believe it, what makes a situation good or bad is what you think; your thoughts cloud everything and don’t let you act and enjoy your actions.

How did you feel responding to this interview? Has it been a significant experience for you? Your testimony can encourage other members to share their story.

Good, and honestly, sharing what one thinks and feels with more people always leaves a good taste.