Video: Lewis & DeSilva-Andrade On Friendship
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermudian athletes Yushae DeSilva-Andrade and Jessica Lewis have shared a remarkable journey since first meeting as five-year-olds at WindReach.
The pair, who are competing at the Paralympic Games in Paris, were introduced to sports at the centre in Warwick.
A four-time Paralympian, Lewis said she remembers first meeting DeSilva-Andrade during horse riding and basketball sessions.
“We started in the riding programme at WindReach when we were about five,” Lewis told Bernews. “We’ve grown through many sports together, and now we’re together at the Paralympics!”
Their sporting paths eventually diverged when Lewis discovered her passion for athletics after being introduced to sprinting by her late coach, Ken Thom, during a sports expo at WindReach in 2006.
“Basketball was my first love, but I didn’t have enough people to form a team,” said Lewis, who competes today in the T53 100 final at the Stade de France. “I always wanted to represent Bermuda, so I had to pick an individual sport.”
Meanwhile, DeSilva-Andrade found her calling in boccia, a precision ball sport, after a demonstration by Josh Vander Vies, a bronze medallist in boccia doubles at the London Paralympics in 2012.
Vander Vies, who is the Canadian team’s chef de mission in Paris, left a lasting impression on DeSilva-Andrade during his visit to WindReach in 2011.
“Jess loved sport just as much as I did,” DeSilva-Andrade said. “I couldn’t stand basketball, though – I kept getting hit on the head with the ball!
“I remember thinking, “I’m not doing this anymore.” When I was introduced to boccia, I loved it and stuck with that.
“Josh saw me play and said I had a natural talent for it. I thought, ‘If he can do it, then so can I.’”
The Bermudian pair have travelled the world together for major competitions such as the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and the Parapan Am Games in Santiago, Chile, last year, where they both won medals.
“To have watched Yushae’s journey through boccia is amazing,” Lewis said. “To see her reach the pinnacle of her sport is awesome. I’m glad to be her team-mate.”
DeSilva-Andrade, who finished in an impressive fourth place position in the BC1 women’s division, fondly remembers her early connection with Lewis.
“I didn’t know many people like me in Bermuda, so it was awesome to meet Jess and be around someone like me,” DeSilva-Andrade said.
A two-time Paralympian, DeSilva-Andrade will cheer on her close friend today in Paris.
“It’s awesome to watch Jess race,” she added. “When I first saw her compete in wheelchair track, I was like, ‘Woah, you go really fast!’”
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What a beautiful story full of love respect and kindness.
Jess and Yushae are brilliant athletes who have taught me to go on not matter how challenging the obstacles.
You are people too and deserve the recognition every other Bermudian sports person receives. I am so proud at how far you both have come.
Also WindReach the foresight to open and afford people with disabilities opportunities in Bermuda they would not have demands respect too