Antonio Maglio was an Italian doctor and activist, known for his promotion of the Paralympic Games, the first edition of which was held in Rome in 1960. He was born in Cairo on July 8, 1912, and he is said o be he pioneer of rehabilitation therapies for the disabled.
He obtained his degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Bari in 1935. Antonio Maglio had an interest in the rehabilitation of the disabled, many of whom owe him (directly or indirectly), the improvement of life expectancy and reintegration into the body of civil society.
It must be noted that Antonio Maglio who was a Medical consultant for INAIL, was appointed director of the newly established “Villa Marina” Paraplegic Center in Ostia .
He was appointed director of the newly established “Villa Marina” Paraplegic Center in Ostiain 1957and he had the opportunity to experiment with new techniques and methodologies ha could aid in rehabilitation.
His experiments were geared towards having immediate effects with reduction in mortality and alleviation of the subjects’ states of depression. With inspiration from Anglo-German neurologist Ludwig Guttmann, Antonio Maglio introduced sport for people in wheelchairs.
He assisted his patients in practicing athletics, swimming, basketball, fencing, table tennis and archery. For this reason, most people refer to him as the father of Italian Paralympic sport.
He takes his patients patients to the Stoke Mandeville International Games.It is a competition for wheelchair athletes organized by Guttmann, director of the most important English motor rehabilitation center.
Antonio Maglio tried convincing Guttmann to bring the 1960 Stoke Mandeville competitions to Rome.
The games were held in Rome, at the “Tre Fontane” sports complex and at the swimming pool of Foro Italico in 1960. It is important to note that the games were considered by the International Paralympic Committee to be the first edition of the Paralympics .
Antonio Maglio First Wife
The first wife of Antonio Maglio is believed to be Maria Stella Calà.Maria Stella Calà and Antonio Maglio were married for 16 years. She was 40 years old when she got married to Antonio Maglio, then 60 years old.
Reference :
https://www.memoriaparalimpica.it/document/it/antonio_maglio/i_ragazzi_di_ostia
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Maglio_(medico)
https://www.inail.it/cs/internet/comunicazione/news-ed-eventi/news/news-maglio-rai-2-inventore-paralimpiadi-2021.html
https://www.ilsussidiario.net/news/maria-stella-cala-chi-e-la-moglie-di-antonio-maglio-pioniere-della-riabilitazione-del-midollo/2340539/
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