Italian athlete Veronica Yoko Plebani has become an international symbol of resilience and confidence, inspiring thousands of people who live with visible scars or physical challenges. Her story, rooted in hardship and determination, continues to resonate around the world.

Eleven years ago, Veronica’s life took an unexpected and devastating turn. At just 15, she contracted bacterial meningitis—an aggressive illness that can be life-threatening. Although she survived, the infection left permanent effects. She lost her toes and fingers, and her body was marked by scars. For many, such a life-altering event might have meant stepping away from sports entirely. For Veronica, it became the beginning of a new journey.

Before her illness, she was deeply involved in athletics, gymnastics, dance, and snowboarding. When doctors were forced to amputate her toes and fingers, she faced the unimaginable challenge of adapting to a new body as a teenager. Yet she refused to let the diagnosis define her future.

In a recent reflection, Veronica explained how sport became her path back to herself.
“Meningitis changed my body, it left a lot of scars. It was a traumatic experience, because at fifteen it’s not easy to suddenly have a different body. But I was still me. In the first months after leaving the hospital, sport showed me how many incredible things my body could still do, and that helped me love it even more,” she said.

Her words highlight both the emotional and physical battles she confronted, underscoring how athletics provided a way to rebuild her confidence and reclaim control of her life.

Remarkably, just two months after the amputation, Veronica stood at the starting line of the New York Marathon with fellow athletes from the Italian team Monza. Completing the race marked a turning point. It was the moment she proved not only to others, but to herself, that she could still compete at a high level.

From there, her path accelerated. She joined the Paralympic team, expanded into snowboarding, and later embraced canoeing—disciplines that demand skill, endurance, and extraordinary inner strength. Today, at 28, she continues to compete internationally, using her platform to encourage others to embrace their bodies, their differences, and their potential.

Beyond her athletic achievements, Veronica has become a powerful advocate for body acceptance and self-confidence. Her message is clear: scars tell a story, and no one should be defined by them.

Her journey from hospital recovery to the Paralympic arena stands as a reminder of what perseverance can accomplish. For many who follow her story, Veronica is more than an athlete—she is proof that a changed body can still be strong, capable, and worthy of admiration.