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Home>Service> Awardees of Fervent Global Love of Lives Award> 24th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2021> The Wheelchair-bound Spanish Politician — Ignacio Tremino Gomez
The Wheelchair-bound Spanish Politician — Ignacio Tremino Gomez
Speak for the public, Serve for the people

“God let me live through a car accident, so that I can serve the people. This is the best thing God can give me,” — Ignacio Tremino Gomez
 
Brothers across the globe
 
Ignacio Tremino Gomez was born in Valladolid, Spain, on January 29, 1966. He studied law at the Valladolid University, but was paralyzed from the waist down due to a car accident.
During his time at the hospital, Ignacio got to know the local disability assistant groups. He opened his heart and vowed to stay positive in life. He completed his law degree via online learning, and even received a master degree in business management.
He helped found the ASPAYM, an organization dedicated to helping disabled people to earn equal rights, basic freedom and social respect. Ignacio later became the president of ONCE charity lottery, and hired over 35,000 disabled employees. With an annual earning of over 800 million euros, it is the largest charity lottery of its kind in Europe.
Ignacio’s political career also took off. He was voted into the member of the congress of Deputies of Spain, a position on which he advocated for more rights and respect for the disabled. He promoted social awareness for disabled people, and encourage everyone to love themselves, others and the Earth.
 
A city of glory and love
 
        Valladolid is a historic city in Spain and home to many prominent nobles, politicians, artists, elites and others. Ignacio was the embodiment of this city’s legacy and spirit.
        He said the city was founded during the 11 century Medieval period, by Alfonso VI, who entrusted it to Pedro Ansurez. After two centuries of development, the small village became a key city of Kingdom of Castilla.
In 1255, Alfonso X issued the Fuero Real. The same century, this place gave birth to modern university education. In the 14th century, Real Chancilleria as well as the San Benito El Real were established here, making Valladolid one of the key centers for the Spanish monastic reform.
The city right now has around 600,000 residents, and has become a provincial capital and modern city. People here enjoyed high standard of living due to its convenient geography: close proximity to the Spanish capital Madrid, and the costa cantabricas region. Moreover, it is home to many natural wonders and cultural sites, making Valladolid one of the most attractive city to visit.
 
A blessing in disguise
 
        When Ignacio was at his junior year in college, he suffered a severe car accident and became paralyzed from the waist down. For such a promising young man, the thought of living with a wheel-chair for the rest of his life was devastating. Fortunately, he was not alone, and his family has encouraged him even to this day.
        After spending a year in a hospital, he was transferred to a recovery center in Aylesbury in central England. There he met with many NGO personnel who were helping people with disabilities, and through their help, Ignacio regained his faith for living and vowed to help others like him.
        He once said that days after the accident, he lived in denial and still had a hope of walking again. But only when accepting the cruel fate that he truly began cherishing everything around him, and start reaping the new opportunities his new life provides.
        Despite his disability, he completed his law degree through online learning, and later earned a master in business management from a Spanish business school.
 
Helping those in needs
 
In 1992, after years of helping people with disabilities, Ignacio established ASPAYM. The organization serves over 1,200 people every month in the past decades. It has five locations throughout the country, and employed around 250 staffs. The organization is dedicated to helping people with disabilities to find employment. In 1997, Ignacio founded the ONCE charity lottery to raise funds and help blinded people integrate better into society.
 
Speaker for the people
 
        In 1998, Ignacio entered politics. The 2013 Spanish financial recession had undermined funding for social programs. However, Ignacio still pushed for legislation supporting people with disabilities, as well as eliminating institutional discrimination. He worked hard to create a friendly and inclusive social environment for people with disabilities to integrate into society.
        In his personal life, Ignacio has been an optimistic and honest person. Before going to bed, he would ask himself has he hurt anyone, either intentionally or unintentionally. If yes, he would apologize to the person the next day.
He values sports despite his condition. He believes it can help improve his work efficiency and foster teamwork, self-love and determination. Ignacio said the car accident has changed his perspective, and allowed him to live a more fulfilling life.