"At that moment I already knew that I had become a quadriplegic"

Antonio Balaguer became tetraplegic nine years ago after diving into a swimming pool in Magaluf, during a birthday celebration. "I dove headfirst without my hands against the ground. I hit the bottom. I didn't break my nose, which is the most common thing in these cases. At that moment, I already knew I had become tetraplegic".

He received assistance from a friend to get out of the water. In these cases, there is also a risk of drowning. “We were playing to see who would do the craziest thing, and I drew the highest number,” he recalls. From that moment on, he spent two years in hospitals. Now he needs to be constantly accompanied, he cannot "pick up a glass of water to drink" and he tells his story because in an accident "you can lose everything". He also emphasizes the loss of independence: “You need someone by your side always. It's not just you, it's also your family. They are the most important". Finally, he explains that most beaches are not equipped for him to swim: they do not have the material to assist someone totally dependent.

Aspaym

Antonio Balaguer explained his story this Friday during the presentation of the "Capbussades" campaign, promoted by the Association of People with Spinal Cord Injury and other Physical Disabilities (Aspaym) on Ciutat Jardí beach in Palma. The initiative is national, takes place during the summer months, and is especially aimed at young people as a risk group, with the aim of preventing spinal cord injuries caused by reckless dives.

The vice-president of Aspaym Illes Balears, Carolina Ligero, stated that 6% of annual spinal cord injuries are due to risky dives. She called for caution, because "the consequences can be very tedious".

During this month of June, two cases of hospitalizations due to falls at Caló des Moro have already been registered. On the other hand, according to the latest registry of the National Hospital of Paraplegics, last year three hospital admissions were registered for spinal cord injuries caused by dives: all men aged 18, 40, and 51. "We are talking about injuries that change the lives of young people," explains Dr. Alcobendas, director of the National Hospital of Paraplegics. "The most painful thing is that many could have been avoided. Therefore, we must act before it happens: preventing saves lives".