Lilou Hens
Meet Lilou Hens, a 15-year-old former acro-gymnast who suffered a spinal cord injury at 12 years old due to a terrible car-accident on family vacation in South Africa. After the accident, she quickly knew she had to find a new passion. After trying all kinds of adaptive sports like climbing, ice hockey, swimming, and wheelchair racing, she totally fell in love with sit skiing and is now training hard to get to the Winter Paralympics 2030 and having a lot of fun along the way!
LILOU’S ACHIEVEMENTS
“Still at the start of her sport career and still too young to compete (you have to be 16 for para alpine skiing). But very proud of how quick she found a new passion and fully goes for it. Living life at her best, not looking back on what was. Another thing to be super proud of: Every competition of her former acro-friends, she's still there next to the floor supporting them in every way!”
VISION FOR PARA SPORTS’ FUTURE
“Hoping that para sports competitions can be more included in regular sports competitions. Like Para Alpine Skiing World Cup can be at the same location, following the regular Alpine Skiing World Cup. This would be better for visibility.
I think the Paralympics have already come a long way. If more big organisations would organise competitions following [able-bodied competitions] more people would get to know those sports and athletes. Another important thing, getting more sport clubs to work more on inclusion, really letting disabled kids train and compete with able kids.”
SHAPING A BETTER FUTURE
“Inclusion, inclusion, inclusion. If federations would hold their training camps with all their athletes together, able and disabled, there would be more respect, friendships built and more attention for both from the media.”
LILOU’S MESSAGE
“Whatever happens in life, never give up. Find a passion that helps you handle the hard moments. Life does not end with a spinal cord injury, you just adapt and find your own ways to enjoy this beautiful world.”
PARA ATHLETES INSPIRING CHANGE
“I think it all begins with the athletes. Dare to tell your story and how hard you worked for it, be proud of your story. Out there you are just all athletes with big dreams, disabled or not. You can all learn from each other and most of all, you can all bring joy to the world of sports.”
