Former drug addict finds a new start in Sorocaban sport A story of overcoming has attracted attention in the Santa Rosa community, in Sorocaba (SP). After years of chemical dependency, which resulted in the loss of her right hand due to severe withdrawal crises, Amália Aparecida da Silva found in sport the strength she needed to transform her own life. Amália says that rock bottom occurred when her craving for drugs led her to harm her own body. As she was right-handed, she reports that she started biting her own hand because she was unable to use the substance, which resulted in a serious infection and the amputation of the limb. 📲 Join the g1 Sorocaba and Jundiaí channel on WhatsApp At first, physical limitations brought shame and isolation. "I didn't want to show my hand to anyone. I always walked around with everything closed, I didn't let anyone see my disability. I thought everyone was looking at me." The turnaround in rehabilitation Amélia had to have her hand amputated after a severe withdrawal crisis Fábio Modesto The extreme situation was the definitive warning that she needed to seek help. Amália decided to enter the Addict Support and Solidarity Group (Grasa), where she spent a year in treatment. There, she learned to control her addiction through the "12 steps" and took advice from her mother, who always believed in her potential. READ ALSO: Painting project transforms patient rehabilitation in Sorocaba Art that heals: project that uses painting to rehabilitate patients opens vacancies for volunteers in Sorocaba Secretariat for Inclusion and Autism Spectrum Disorder returns to having a permanent secretary after 3 months "In that life, you only have friends when you start using drugs. I spent years doing this. Today, I remember everything my mother told me in the past and I think: 'My God, it was so easy, why didn't I do it?'. If I had listened to her, who knows, I would be much better", he reflects. Sport as therapy Amélia dreams of being the best football player Fábio Modesto The physical limitation, which previously made her hide, became a stepping stone to a new opportunity. Upon learning about sports projects, Amália found an outlet in football and volleyball. She admits that she still feels a blockage on the amputated side due to the lack of sensitivity, but guarantees that this does not prevent her from competing. "Sport is the best thing there is, you unlock it. There are different types, like athletics, but what I really like is football. Now, my dream is to be the best", she says. In addition to her goals on the courts and fields, Amália's biggest objective today is to rebuild family ties. She plans to live close to her mother to help take care of her children, leaving life on the streets behind. "I did it because I had a lot of willpower and wanted to win", he celebrates. The athlete's biggest dream is to live close to her mother to help raise her children Fábio Modesto Initial plugin text See more news from the region on g1 Sorocaba and Jundiaí VIDEOS: watch TV TEM reports