Daniele Cassioli is an Italian waterskier and physiotherapist, blind from birth due to a retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disease that affects the eyes.
He started practicing sport very early, devoting himself to swimming from the age of three as well as following karate. His first skiing experience dates back to 1994, then, in the summer of 1995, he began his extraordinary adventure with water skiing.
He has won 22 world titles, 20 European titles and 31 Italian titles.
By virtue of the results obtained at international level, he is considered the greatest Paralympic skier of all time.
I was born blind on August 15, 1986, in Rome.
I grew up and I live in Gallarate, in the province of Varese, with my mother Brunella, my father Luigi and Davide, my elder brother. My path as a student took me from a normal boy coming to the degree in physiotherapy that today allows me to work in a studio of my own. My family is the greatest gift that fate could provide me.
I learned to cry and laugh, understanding that between the two it is good to have fun as much as possible.
I learned to play sports even before I understood its absolute meaning. Sport, like art, knowledge and discoveries, is the basis of our civilization and we human beings do not yet exploit its full potential. Only after losing did I learn to win and I realized that after a victory, it is much better.
I learned that feeling with the heart, before seeing, is invaluable.
I have often condemned those who made me suffer but later understood that to want the good of those people is my greatest success.
I learned that music is one of the demonstrations that man, if he wants to, knows how to be an extremely noble creature.
I learned that friends, real ones, are real wealth.
I learned that the word handicap is perfectly associated with each of us: the difference lies in the fact that some have even written it on the identity card.
I learned that inside every woman there hides a small, infinite secret.
I learned how important it is to appreciate myself in order to love others.
I learned that dealing with fear open-mindedly, like when you run in the storm without a shelter, is one of the most genuine things you can do.
I learned that writing is a fantastic way to look inside.
I tried to get along with everyone by giving smiles and serenity but I realized that I can not please everyone because not everyone needs that.
I learned that to take people’s good is always a winning weapon.
I learned that one day of traveling is equivalent to one month of growth.
I have learned that each of us becomes a special being when he pursues his mission on this earth. Sometimes the problem is to understand one’s deepest vocation in time. ”
At the Italian water skiing championships in Recetto, August 16, 2018, Daniele Cassioli made the World record in the slalom.
