Home Storie da raccontare Canyoning through the rapids in Val d’Ossola with Vanni Oddera and Silvia Calcavecchia

Canyoning through the rapids in Val d'Ossola with Vanni Oddera and Silvia Calcavecchia

The mountains of Val d'Ossola provide the setting for a new Storie da raccontare episode. Traveling with freestyle motocross champion Vanni Oddera, creator and motivational speaker Silvia Calcavecchia explains how her disability has never been a limit, but a stimulus to face every challenge with adaptability and determination. Between nature and adrenaline, the two share a canyoning experience through the rapids, turning the adventure into a story of courage, freedom and the desire to go beyond obstacles.

Accessible video transcript

[00:00–00:10]

[Vanni Oddera and Silvia Calcavecchia are in Val d’Ossola. They get into an Opel and drive along mountain roads surrounded by nature on a sunny summer day.]

[00:11]

Vanni: Silvia, describe yourself in one sentence.

[00:13]

Silvia: A dreamer with her feet on the ground.

[00:16]

Vanni: What inspired you to create your blog, Sissiland?

[00:18]

Silvia: Becoming the person I needed when I was younger.

[00:23]

Vanni: In your journey, you’ve faced difficult moments—how did you deal with them?

[00:28]

Silvia: I’ve had many difficult moments. I chose not to let my disability limit me and to fully live my life, also with a touch of irony, which never hurts.

[00:42]

Vanni: When you travel, how do you deal with accessibility challenges?

[00:46]

Silvia: I’m someone who adapts a lot. I always try to find a solution—I’m not the type to stop at the first obstacle.

[00:55]

Vanni: Do you have any advice for being more inclusive?

[00:58]

Silvia: Let’s free ourselves from labels.

[01:00]

Vanni: We’re almost there—are you ready to dive in?

[01:03]

Silvia: I can’t wait, let’s go!

[01:04–01:23]

[Silvia and Vanni go canyoning. They wear wetsuits and make their way down water rapids, dive in, and walk among rocks and streams. Then the car is seen setting off again.]

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