Poliana Sousa had spent years asking for just one thing, and it wasn’t a medal.
This 40-year-old Paralympic athlete, born in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, lost five pregnancies. Each time, the same emptiness. Until she was diagnosed with thrombophilia, a blood-flow disorder that causes clots and is one of the leading causes of pregnancy loss. Tests from her previous losses showed many clots in the placenta and umbilical cord.
This time was different. She injected herself with anticoagulants throughout the nine months of pregnancy and for a few days after giving birth. Alaric Matheus was born on December 16, 2025, and spent eight days in the neonatal intensive care unit. He was discharged on December 24, Christmas Eve. “We’re finally home, son”, she wrote. “With scars, infinite gratitude, and hearts overflowing with love”.
Poliana has used a wheelchair since she was hit by a car at the age of 4. She competed in three Paralympic Games and won silver in the javelin at the 2019 Parapan American Games in Lima. Even so, she had no hesitation in choosing: “He is my biggest medal”.