Former Brazilian nurse inspired patients with archery, now a Paralympian

Aged 64, Eugenio Santana Franco debuts at the Paris 2024 Paralympics as one of the oldest archers, and with an inspiring story to tell.

The Brazilian used to work as a nurse, treating lots of children, many of whom were about to have limbs amputated.

“I would tell them about things they would still be able to do. They would reply: ‘Sir, I’m sorry, I won’t be able to, I’ll have no legs’,” he explains.

So Eugenio started taking videos of para archery to show them what they could do. 

“I showed videos of Matt Stutzman to those children. And years later, I showed them videos of myself.”

It was his way to inspire people who were starting new chapters of their lives. And whose world seemed to be falling apart.

Sitting in his wheelchair, Santana Franco calmly relates his story, going through the diseases he has had and how he has been gradually losing his health.

He suffers from ankylosing spondylitis, diabetes, hypertension and Parkinson’s disease. Two years ago, he was also diagnosed with a cardiac aneurysm, but this cannot be treated by surgery.

It was ankylosing spondylitis that forced him to use a wheelchair.

“It’s a disease that makes all the joints stiff,” explains the former nurse, describing the characteristics.

It started in 2011, and it took four or five years for the diagnosis to be made. At first he used a cane, then crutches and finally a wheelchair.

Eugenio, who used to ignite his patient’s motivation, just mustn’t have collapsed mentally. 

“I worked all my life with patients, and I’ve witnessed various types of conditions and difficulties. I took it naturally. I was somehow used to that,” he claims.

“It’s the best you can do. That can happen to anyone. You need to approach it with a smile and take the best out of it.”

At the time, he knew para archery and gave it a go.

As he used to live in Europe, he started shooting indoors in 2014.

“It was the only thing I could do in winter,” the Brazilian explains. “I loved it, and I thought it was so interesting.”

And even though he suffered from multiple diseases and his condition was gradually worsening, Eugenio followed his path.

“None of these things ever stopped me. I keep on shooting.”

Santana Franco took a bow after watching an Archery World Cup broadcast on TV. 

“I saw the World Cup Final held in Paris in 2014. I was like ‘I want to do that, I want to shoot in Paris’! And here I am,” he recalls. “I believed so. That’s why I insisted and kept going.”

From that day, he dreamt of it, and now he is as a Paralympian shooting among the best para archers in the world.

“I feel great. The venue is awesome. It’s amazing. And also dealing with other athletes – it’s a very friendly environment. I’m excited to compete here.”

“It’s my first Paralympics. I’m very excited and motivated.”

Eugenio may no longer help patients as a nurse, but he is keen to spread his story to show them that only borders exist in the mind.

“I retired and don’t work any more. But I still have moments when I meet patients to share my story and motivate them,” he says.

The Brazilian archer believes in the power of archery. 

“It changed not only my life but also the lives of other people in the state, where I live. There’re many people with disabilities. All of their lives are impacted by archery.”

Santana Franco lost his first elimination match on Sunday, but now he can inspire with videos of himself shooting at the Paralympics.

“It’s not only people with disabilities that archery is very inclusive for. It’s great for older people, as well.”