The Mud Angel

Simone Baldini is 42 years old, originally from Rome but living in San Marino, and is a national level Paralympic athlete in triathlon and rowing (nicknamed Iron Baldo).

Last year he was also given another nickname: “Mud Angel”. Simone cannot walk because he is in a wheelchair, but when Emilia Romagna was hit by floods last year he immediately got moving to fight the waters, flying over the destruction of the mud. He says: «The first sensation I felt was emotion, because when you arrive you see destruction and water everywhere, people evacuating houses, the sacrifices of a lifetime ruined: losing everything in a few hours is truly devastating also from an emotional point of view. Then you are there and you team up to lend a hand together with all the people who are working; we have had many demonstrations of affection from all the populations affected. It's an incredible feeling, a mix of joy and emotion, something I'll never forget!".

To those who call him a hero, he replies: "I did something normal, in those moments difficulties don't exist, you only think about doing good.
In moments of difficulty we are all truly the same". For this gesture of great courage and solidarity he received the honor of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, for the immediate availability offered to the flooded populations of Emilia Romagna.
"Being named Knight of the Republic is an incredible and totally unexpected emotion, so great that I still struggle to believe it. It's an immense pleasure that I would like to share with all the people who went to lend a hand to the population in difficulty. Having a disability is something that can be seen, but many other people who were there were perhaps experiencing problems at family and work level that go unnoticed. I would like to dedicate this honor to all the people in difficulty".
In recent weeks, some areas of Emilia Romagna have been hit again by the fury of the water: it is important to remember and relive many stories of goodness like Simone's. Because it takes shovels to shovel, but above all a big heart to fly above the mud and rebuild hope together.

Roberto Lerda
NP October 2024