Ilidio Inaculo

Background

About Ilidio Inaculo

My experiences and achievements can all be traced back to when I completely blew The Junior Olympic Swimming Trials of - allow me to tell you this story: Polio crippled my right leg, causing a physical disproportionality (freakishly long torso, undeveloped lower body) that amplified my longing to be “normal.” I became co-captain of my prep school's chess club and creative director of my high school magazine in South Africa just to prove I belonged. I even tried for the soccer team (failed, hard!). My parents motivated my self-discovery by encouraging my creativity and love for the pool; a simple activity that would define my life. My fish-like disproportionality streamlined me into a faster version of my siblings and friends, hence, I received the Fish-Boy nickname. Soon I began competing in my local club and attracted the community's attention. I was signed up to be the first ever kid with a disability to join the road to the ''normal'' Junior olympics. On competition day, curious spectators filled the auditorium to see the Fish-Boy in action; four laps separated me from ''normality''. The first lap was freestyle, I beat the other swimmers by a significant margin. I flip-turned to breaststroke into the second lap. half-way through, most competitors overtook me. By the fourth, I was dead last. I moved to London, then Washington, D.C. and later, Paris. Focusing on my studies and family business but less on that creative kid who once dreamed of changing Angola. I kept having this recurring dream of where I wanted to launch into the pool but was paralyzed. I tried catching a glimpse of who I am racing against but couldn't see them. My careers in two of Africa’s biggest comercial companies ignited a rediscovery of myself; I am chasing purpose not profit. I applied my earlier swimmer’s discipline and founded one of Angola's most promising creative start-ups and a non-profit aimed to promote the social inclusion of people with disabilities. I learned 2 things from that Olympic Swimming Trials: 1. I’m not defined by that race, life has hundreds of them. Creating impactful stories that contribute to social economic growth and inspire other Fish-Boys is my race now. The only competitor is myself. ‘’Normal’’ is not trying to exceed my perceived abilities by winning the race, but the mere audacity to enter the race even if it means coming in last. So if you’re a fellow Fish-Boy or Girl yourself, feel free to dive in and connect. Who knows, we might just change the world together.