Laura’s quiet courage: finding confidence on the tatami

Laura is 24 and introduces herself with a calm, almost shy presence. Then she states her reality with striking clarity: she has hemiplegia, so she does everything with one arm and one leg. That includes judo. On the tatami, she faces opponents who have “twice the physical tools,” yet she doesn’t build her identity around what’s missing.

For Laura, stepping on the tatami is an act of bravery.

Her life changed at eight years old. What started as epilepsy escalated into a long and frightening medical fight. Over 18 months, doctors at University Hospital Leuven tried every possible option. Surgery came, then more surgery, and still the situation didn’t resolve. Eventually, the only remaining choice was a hemispherectomy—disconnecting one half of her brain to save her life.

Laura survived, but the price was huge. The child who once danced, swam, and skipped rope competitively had to rebuild movement from the ground up. Balance, coordination, and everyday routines became challenges that demanded constant adaptation. Two years of rehabilitation followed, and therapy has remained part of her daily life ever since.

Judo arrived almost by accident. Watching her brothers train, Laura simply asked her mother, Katja, if she could try too. There was no grand plan, just curiosity and the question of “how.” What she found was more than a sport. Laura talks about learning movements and techniques, and about being able to defend herself. Over time, judo turned into a statement: progress is still possible.

Katja’s role changed completely. Once a teacher, she stepped away from her profession and became a carer, advocate, and organiser, shaping family life around Laura’s needs. She admits it was hard—and still is—but she also points to something judo brought into their world: confidence.

Laura still has difficult days and real limitations, including fatigue and processing speed. Competition requires vigilance, and training requires adjustment. But inside the judo community, the barriers feel softer. Laura keeps training, keeps competing, and carries a message that sounds simple until you understand what it costs: never give up, do your best, and it’s okay to lose too.

She says her biggest inspiration to fight was her mum.

Source: EJU_News