In a quiet neighbourhood of Bucharest, a single moment shattered the life of Anda ARGHIR, a vibrant 24-year-old dancer and budding computer engineer. Two years ago, on what seemed like an ordinary day, a tree fell, fracturing her spine and leaving her bound to a wheelchair. That tree didn’t just break her back; it broke her dreams, her identity, and the life she once knew.
Before the accident, Anda had been a force of energy, a dancer whose movements told stories, a student driven by her passion for technology, and a young woman with her eyes set on the future. But in the aftermath of the accident, the path she had so carefully carved was suddenly overgrown with obstacles she would never imagined. The fall was only the beginning of Anda’s battle. In the months that followed, she underwent two grueling surgeries.
The first one was right after my accident. Then the hardware keeping my back in place failed and broke, so I had to go through another surgery in August, just a few months ago.
The physical pain was immense but it was the emotional toll that weighed heaviest. The independence she had once taken for granted was replaced by uncertainty and dependence. Everyday activities became monumental challenges.
Rehabilitation became my whole life. It is a long, hard road, and every step forward can feel like a mountain climbed.
A New Rhythm: Judo
Amid the darkness, Anda discovered an unexpected source of light, judo. Just two months ago, she joined the world of the gentle way for the first time, hesitant yet curious. For someone who had endured so much, judo seemed like an impossible venture. After all, its physical demands posed a potential risk to her already fragile spine.
I was skeptical at first. But I have found ways to adapt, protecting myself while still giving my best on the mat.
To her surprise, judo didn’t hurt, instead, it healed. The practice helped her regain balance, both physically and mentally. For Anda, judo became more than a sport; it became a sanctuary.
The parallels to her past as a dancer were undeniable. In kata, with its precise movements and rhythm, Anda found a familiar beauty. It reminded her of the choreography she once performed on stage, now reimagined in the controlled movements of Nage-no-Kata. Today, Anda reached a new milestone by competing at the EJU Get Together Judo event in Venray.
Being here is so much more than a competition. It is a declaration that even after everything, we can rise again. It is beautiful to get out of your comfort zone as a person with disability. Sometimes it is a struggle to just get out of your house. So coming here and participating in this event, demonstrating that we can, it is really important for us.
The event was a chance for Anda to demonstrate her skill, but more importantly, it was an opportunity to show the world, and herself, how far she had come.
For Anda, victory is not measured in medals or accolades. It is in every small triumph such as the balance she has regained, the confidence she has rebuilt, and the joy she has found in a life that once seemed irreparably broken.
Recovery is still my main focus. But judo helps me cope. It takes my mind off the struggles and gives me something to look forward to.
Through judo, Anda is not just rebuilding her life, she is redefining what is possible. She has shown that even when life breaks you, it is possible to piece yourself back together in ways you never imagined. The tree that fell on Anda may have broken her body, but it could not break her spirit. Through her courage, she has planted seeds of hope, proof that even after the storm, growth is possible.
Images: Carlos Ferreira / Anda Arghir
Author: Szandra Szogedi