Irene Villa

Irene Villa was born in Madrid in 1978. On the 17th October 1991 (in her own words the date of her second birthday) Irene and her mother were the victims of a bomb planted in their car by the terrorist organisation ETA. They were targetted because Irene's mum was a civil servant working at a Police station in Madrid. Thought to be almost dead when rushed to hospital, Irene's survival was described by the doctors who treated her as a miracle.

Irene lost her legs and several fingers as a direct result of the bombing, but she was determined to live her life to the full. Over the years Irene has earned University degrees in journalism, psychology and humanities; she collaborates with several major media companies in Spain and she practices several sports like skying, diving and canoeing.

Since she recovered from her injuries Irene became an icon of the struggle against terrorism. She and her mother have been active members of AVT, the leading organisation of victims of terrorism in Spain. Over the years, Irene has received many awards and has had the opportunity to meet personalities like Lady Diana (Children of Europe Award, London, 1992), King Juan Carlos and many other members of the Spanish royal family.

Her book "To Know It is Possible, Memories and Reflections of a Victim of Terrorism" was a best seller in Spain when published in October 2004. In the book, Irene describes the changes on her life from before to after the attack together with deep reflections on issues like violence and of course terrorism. The following quote from the book summarises her attitude to life: "There is no time for hate because there is no peace without forgiveness. I forgive to live. I believe a time will come when all the cultures will be able to coexist side by side in peace".

Conferences: "Overthrow terrorism", "Equality is work of everyone", "Human Rights", "Terrorism and democratic society", "In defens of democracy", "For solidaridity and dignity", "Psychologics keys to avercome 11-M", "Educating in love", "Psychologic assisstence from Asociation Victims of Terrorism", "Keep fighting", "Humanize to cohabitation", "Illness like oportunity to change"?

My name is Irene. I think my parents didn't choose it by coincidence, because it means: peace. And despite of somebody wanted to do disappear my face and my name, peace has been the most important purpose in all my life.

You would be wondering why I say this. Well, some of you don't know it, but, when I was twelve years old, the ETA, a terrorist organization, planted a bomb in my mother's car. We think that they did it because my mother worked in a police station, which terrorists wanted to do explode. But the bomb exploded before my mother left me in the school.

My mother lost her right arm and leg, and I lost both legs and three fingers. But we survived, and for that, we think that we are two really lucky persons.

From this moment, both haven't stop to fight for recover our lives.

Since then, I have used this tragedy to share my optimistic spirit and my joy with the world, broadcasting to victims of terrorism the strength and optimism that saved us. I have written two books. The first one is called: "Know that it can be done", which deals with giving back hope to the world, bringing peace and calm, eliminating the hate from our hearts, spreading strength and good will, opening a path to peace and showing the world how to be happy.

The second one is called "S.O.S Victims of terrorism". I wrote this book from a psychologist point of view, and its main purpose is that all victims of violence, overcame the tragedy and find peace.

Now, I'm writing a new one, about lives who show us that no matter how many difficulties we go through, keeping the right attitude, is a must. In Canarian Island, I interview a woman with muscular atrophy, who don't move her body, and she got married with fifty-five years old.

I decided to do sports and the competition.

Despite of I have had about seven surgeries, I can do a lot of sports. The last surgery was two years ago, in Sweden, where doctors put me a piece of titanium inside my bone, my femur. Now, I am able to walk better and, what is more important, without pain.

All my life I have been facing challenges because, I think, living just is it.

My first challenge was beginning to walk after the terrorist attack. Then, I learnt to do all the things I did before, but with great difficulty.

But I realized that if you don't see the barriers, they disappear!

Before the bomb, I used to play basketball. After that, I thought that sports, in general, were forbidden for me. But I knew a Fundation dedicated to adapted sports. I realized that most sports, can be adapted for disabled people.

Then, I began to do a lot of sports (ski, hand-cycling, fencing, swimming, diving, sailing...).

Besides, I finished three degrees (Audiovisual Communication, Humanities and Psychology) because I wanted to see that if you want, you can, although in the beginning it seems pretty hard.

For all this, I think everybody can achieve all they want, with will power and being constant.

Of course, ever is important the optimism, my best weapon. And the hope is really important also.

If you have this both strong means, you have a great range of possibilities in front of you.

Finally, I want to say that the Congress of victims of terrorism, which we celebrate each year here or in Colombia, is a very important even to know us, sharing our feelings and say to world what we need (justice and peace) and don't be forgotten.