Suzanna Tangen Visits H-FARM Rosà: A Real Talk on Inclusion and Resilience

A different bike to run the same race. A dream that did not stop. A race that started uphill, with a physical challenge that could have put a stop to it. But Suzanna Tangen chose to rewrite her path, finding in sport not only a passion, but a way to tell her story and inspire. At H-FARM International School Rosà, her story sparked a very important discussion: what does it really mean to include, every day? How do we cultivate resilience and where does self-awareness come from?

Suzanna Tangen, an award-winning Paralympic athlete, has faced major health challenges since childhood. An inflammation of the spinal cord caused a permanent weakening of her lower limbs. From there began her journey into adapted sport, which led her to discover in para-cycling not just a discipline, but a true vocation.

In an open and inspiring conversation, Suzanna shared her journey—speaking about the physical and emotional obstacles she has faced. She described how sport became a lifeline: a source of motivation, confidence, and connection. Her story gave students a meaningful perspective on what it truly means to persevere—and to include.

Moments for reflection to rethink inclusion

Students asked about her training, how she stays motivated, and what it’s like to travel the world as a para-athlete. The discussion also brought the school’s values into practice. When one student asked how to support a classmate with a physical challenge in PE, the conversation shifted toward what inclusion actually looks like in everyday settings. Another student was curious about the different countries Suzanna has visited and how cultural differences play out in international competitions. Her response opened the door to a wider talk on respect, adaptability, and staying open-minded when working with people from all backgrounds.

After the talk, students took time to reflect in their journals. Teachers encouraged them to write not just about what they heard, but how it made them feel and what it made them think about. Some wrote about personal goals they’d like to work on. Others thought about how to be more supportive in their own communities – whether that meant reaching out to a struggling friend or proposing a fundraiser for adaptive sports. The journaling helped students absorb the experience in their own way.

The visit focused on sharing her story, and students responded with genuine interest. For them, this experience meant not only a change of pace from regular classes, but rather a chance to reflect on how they relate to others and what kind of values they want to carry forward.

 “Bringing voices like Suzanna’s into the classroom transforms learning into a valuable experience,” said Edoardo Zonta, PE teacher. “It’s not just about hearing someone’s story, it’s about helping students grow as people who care, act, and lead with integrity.”

An ongoing commitment

Events like this don’t promise immediate transformation, but they plant ideas. They make space for curiosity, empathy, and self-awareness to grow. And that’s often where the most meaningful learning begins – not with a grand gesture, but with a thoughtful question, an honest answer, and time to reflect on both.

The meeting with Suzanna Tangen represented another significant step in the path that our school has been pursuing for some time on the topics of inclusion and awareness. A path made up of listening, discussion and concrete action.

Among the experiences that marked this commitment, it is also worth mentioning the Design for Someone project, which saw students engaged in creating solutions for people with disabilities, combining empathy, creativity and responsibility.

Read the dedicated article to discover how it came about and what this path meant for those who experienced it.