Alejandro and His Passion for Sports

Feb 7, 2022

Alejandro is a dynamic young guy, smiling and with a great desire to live and keep on doing what he likes the most, playing sports.

When he was only 8 years old, he suffered an accident to his leg which led to an amputation. This accident was undoubtedly a very difficult moment, but he did not allow this to take away his dreams of moving forward and achieving great things.

Mr. Arturo Cardenas, Alejandro's father, tells us that after his son's accident, they knew about the services provided at Shriners Hospitals for Children for Alex's condition.

“We arrived at Shriners Hospital for Children a year ago, we were admitted and then my son was transferred to the prosthetics department where they took his measures to make his first device," said Arturo.

Beginning of the Dream

It was thanks to the invitation of his friend that Alex discovered what in the future would become his passion, chair basketball.

What I enjoy most about basketball is being able to play like a child.
Alejandro - patient

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Not only has he excelled in this discipline, Alex has also practiced various sports such as amputee football, wheelchair dance and weightlifting. These disciplines have also given him great satisfaction, since he had the opportunity to represent Jalisco in a competition in Colima, where he won six medals for these three disciplines.

Having the opportunity to participate in three sports, Alex decided to devote all of his efforts to wheelchair basketball, where he has won seven medals, because as he tells us, "It is his strong suit.” Six years have passed since he decided to dedicate himself to this sport professionally, and now he is preparing for a Sub-23 competition in Cancun and also for an international Sub-21 tournament in Bogota.

Alex's biggest dream is to be able to represent Mexico in international competitions. “I need to be smart, collaborative and achieve to play in Spain, Italy, etc.”

The Message

“Don't give up, work hard. Everything happens for a reason, and when one door closes, another one opens. Always keep going.”

Just like Alejandro's story, Shriners Hospitals for Children cares for hundreds of kids who undergo treatment in our orthotics and prosthetics department, which cares for children with missing limbs, whether congenital, or as in Alex's case, as a result of an accident.

The care Shriners Hospitals for Children provides in these cases is comprehensive. The entire care process involves orthopedic doctors, psychologists, prosthetists, occupational and physical therapists, and social workers. The idea is that in the end patients have the necessary tools in a treatment that supports them not only physically but also emotionally.

The fact that our patients can share their success stories in the disciplines they enjoy the most is one of the greatest satisfactions for the entire team at Shriners Hospitals for Children.

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Jugar como niño, lograr a lo grande

Nuestro paciente Alejandro, tiene año y medio recibiendo tratamiento en la clínica de prótesis. Un accidente vivido a sus ocho años, no ha impedido que Alex continúe con sus sueños, forjando una carrera deportiva muy fuerte. Hoy por hoy Alex se ha consumado en diversas disciplinas como basquetbol sobre silla de ruedas, levantamientos de pesas y danza sobre silla de ruedas. Síguenos en nuestras redes sociales: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HospitalShrinersMex Instagram: shrinersmx Twitter: ShrinersMEX

View Transcript

{Music}

Question: What sport do you play and since when, Alejandro?

Alejandro: I’ve played wheelchair basketball for about six years now.

Question: Why did you start to gain interest in basketball?

Alejandro: Due to team unity and because it was more interesting to me than other sports.

Question: What led you to basketball?

Alejandro: The help of a friend I met at an event.

Question: What other sports have you been interested in?

Alejandro: Amputee soccer, weightlifting and wheelchair dance.

Question: How was your journey through weightlifting?

Alejandro: I went to Colima and I obtained a gold medal, and on a wheelchair (dance) I won five. For these five disciplines I participated, I won one gold medal, two silver medals and got the bronze on the rest of them.

Question: Why did you decide to focus on basketball?

Alejandro: I decided to play basketball because it is more feasible, as I’m good at it. I am more closed with this team than with other people, this is the reason.

Question: What competition are you preparing for?

Alejandro: I am preparing for an international under-23 team that will take place in Cancun in March or May, for those two months. I am also preparing for a sub-21 competition that will be held in Bogota, Colombia.

Question: How long have you been a patient at Shriners Hospital?

Alejandro: Year and a half.

Question: What do you like most about basketball?

Alejandro: Being able to play like a child, that is what I like, playing like a child. It is very powerful, really. I cannot describe how. But the answer to your question is that I like to play as a child.

Question: How many medals have you won in basketball?

Alejandro: I don't know (laughs). I've about 15; about seven in basketball.

Question: What is your goal in sport?

Alejandro: Arrive in another country to play; this is my goal, which I am already considering. I have to be much smarter, be more of a contributor and participate in other international competitions and play, for example, in Spain, Italy, something like that.

Arturo: My name is Arturo Cárdenas (Alejandro's father)

Question: What was your first approach to the Shriners Hospital like?

Arturo: We already knew about this hospital from the moment he was amputated, because the doctor who amputated him somehow recommended that we come here.

Question: What is the diagnosis for which Alejandro arrived?

Arturo: He had an accident as a child. When he was eight years old, playing with his classmates, a concrete slab fell on him and it fell on his leg and practically disintegrated his ligaments and mainly his arteries. And, well, there was no other choice but to amputate him.

Question: Does Alejandro receive care at the Prosthetics Department?

Arturo: Yes, we went directly to the Prosthetics Department. That same day the doctor examined him and accepted him; that same day they began to take action. We come every 15-20 days and have been coming periodically.

Question: Has Alejandro received a prosthesis made at Shriners Hospital?

Arturo: Yes. In fact, today we left it here to get its socket fixed.

Question: What message would you like to share with other patients at the Shriners Hospital?

Alejandro: Don't get discouraged, give it a try; everything happens for a reason and more doors will open for you. If a door closes before you, more will open; move forward for yourself.

{Music}

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Alejandro has a very clear goal

His dream and goal is very clear, to become a champion and represent Mexico in international competitions.

The dream of being a professional athlete is with Alejandro every day.

At his young age he has 15 medals that he has won in various competitions.

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