Martina Smodiš is a 28-year-old master’s graduate in translation studies and a para-dancer. She was born in the sixth month of pregnancy and experienced respiratory distress at birth. As a result, she has cerebral palsy. Martina’s indispensable aid is her wheelchair. Despite some of the challenges posed by the wheelchair, Martina proves that with desire and determination, we can achieve what we truly want. In an interview, she spoke about her studies in translation, para-dancing, and her involvement in the National Awareness Campaign for Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities.
A few months ago, you graduated with a master’s degree from the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana, studying translation with a focus on English, Slovenian, and French. Why these three languages?
I have a natural or innate love for languages. I have always been interested in foreign cultures as well. My decision to study foreign languages actually matured in the fourth grade of elementary school. So, the decision of which direction to take in my studies was easy. Slovenian has a special place in my heart, English is the lingua franca of today’s world, and French is the language of diplomacy.
You are currently doing an internship at the European Parliament office in Slovenia. What does your daily routine look like?
It is very diverse and dynamic. I am doing the Schuman Internship, which is part of a program of positive measures for disabled interns. My daily tasks include a wide range of duties, from translation to event organization, sending correspondence — basically, I do everything I am assigned to in the office. I really enjoy having such a dynamic routine; I learn new things every day. I truly enjoy my work.
You are also enrolled in the first year of doctoral studies, and at the same time, you are an avid dancer of Latin and ballroom dances, dancing since 2015. In one of your interviews, I heard that when paraples was first introduced to you in high school, you weren’t too interested. How did you decide to get involved in paraples after all?
I was first introduced to para-dancing by Dr. Hermina Damjan, who had led the children’s and youth department at the URI Soča for decades. She thought I was an ideal candidate to engage in this sport. At the time, I didn’t think so, I said that I would never be seen in a dance wheelchair, as it just didn’t seem like something for me. But then life took its course. In 2015, when my classmates started preparing for their prom, the crowning moment of high school years, I realized that I also wanted to participate. Fate intervened, as that year, a para-dance couple consisting of Klemen Pirman and Barbara Šamperl appeared on a commercial television show. Barbara also has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. At that moment, I thought to myself: “Martina, if she can do it, and look so good while doing it, then you can too,” and I contacted Klemen the very same day. I then practiced for the prom dance with two classmates, and the entire generation of our class danced the quadrille together. With Klemen, we performed a solo piece, which was very well received. When the time came for university studies and moving to Ljubljana, I quickly realized that studying couldn’t be the only thing I’d focus on; I also needed a break, a hobby. That’s when I began to take paraples more seriously. For a few years, I danced recreationally, and then in 2017, I met my current dance partner, Roman Maček. That was when I took my first real professional step in my para-dance career.
What does dance mean to you? You mentioned that it brought a new kind of freedom of movement to you.
Yes, I often feel that people with mobility impairments seek a way to express themselves through movement, because certain physical abilities are taken from us. We have to look within our own abilities, and paraples gave me exactly that – a kind of freedom of movement. Dance is a medium of expression that isn’t verbal, and I like when I can convey a message through my body. For me, paraples is a medium through which I can express my deepest emotions.
You are also a member of the Slovenian national paraples team. You have represented Slovenia abroad several times. How much sacrifice is necessary when someone is involved in dance at such a high level?
At first glance, it may seem like a lot of sacrifice is necessary, but it’s important that each person makes a list of priorities. If something means as much to you as paraples does to me, then you don’t perceive the things that come with it as sacrifice. You must know that you’re doing it for yourself and not for anyone else – not for your parents, not for the audience, not for the team, but really for yourself. This lifestyle does require a certain way of living, but that comes naturally.
How many times a week do you train?
I train as needed, and before major competitions, I train up to four times a week. Now, with my job and doctoral studies, the frequency obviously changes from week to week, but my partner and I try to maintain consistency. Currently, we mostly train on weekends and in the mornings during the week, from 7 to 8 AM. At 9, I go to work, eat breakfast in between, and I must say that I enjoy this dynamic. It’s not too exhausting; I know I want to do it, and things just fall into place.
But I imagine that dance is also a kind of relaxation amidst all the other responsibilities?
Yes, absolutely. When I get onto the dance floor, I release the stress of the entire week, even the entire month. This is my time. On the other hand, once you reach the competitive level, it can also bring some stress, but in a more positive sense. The realization that you’re representing your country at the highest level motivates you and empowers you.
How do your training sessions look like?
Some dance training sessions are dedicated to refining technical skills, others to social dancing, and some focus only on partner connection. In addition to dance training, I also have individualized workout sessions, where my trainers combine exercises for strength, agility, and exercises that protect my skeletal structure. I have lordosis, a curvature in the lower spine, so the training is not only aimed at building strength and fitness but also at protecting my health for the future, when I eventually finish my sports career.
You also collaborate with the Institute for Education and Inclusion ODTIZ, a non-governmental organization that enables young people with and without disabilities to actively engage in sports, arts, and culture. You work with them on the project Safe Travels, Free Exploration.
I connected with the ODTIZ Institute a few years ago because I find their mission very important; it carries a significant message. The institute was founded by four friends who have mobility impairments, but it has never acted as a disability organization, instead functioning as an inclusive institute. It includes both disabled and non-disabled individuals. The Safe Travels, Free Exploration project deals with the accessibility, or lack thereof, of public passenger transport. The team of enthusiastic people wants to improve the overall situation and raise awareness among the public and decision-makers about what is missing in public transport. The situation is still not as it should be in 2024. The project also beautifully follows the motto “Nothing about people with disabilities without people with disabilities.”
And what have you found, what is the situation like here?
We have found that the legal provisions are clearly and well-established, but they fall short in implementation. My personal opinion is that we lack dialogue; between people with disabilities, who want to use public transport just like our fellow citizens, and those responsible for implementation. It seems to me that this dialogue has not been established strongly enough. We want concrete solutions that we will feel in our everyday lives. I hope that through the project we will reach the right people and raise awareness about the challenges we face as public transport users.
We often hear that the situation is better in larger cities, but intercity transport is less accessible.
Yes, I agree. The public transport in Ljubljana is very well organized. Buses are accessible to people with various types and forms of disabilities; for those with mobility impairments, blind, visually impaired, or deaf. However, as soon as we leave larger city centers, we have an issue with intercity connections. Intercity buses are not accessible for wheelchair users. Perhaps they are conditionally accessible for manual wheelchair users or those who can take a step. But if you are a user of an electric wheelchair, it is almost impossible. In the time we live in, I find this unacceptable. It is similar with trains. I live two minutes from Ljubljana’s main train station, but with a direct train – since it is not adapted, and neither is the route – I cannot reach Murska Sobota; I have to use other forms of transport, which is sad.
What message would you send to decision-makers? What do you think is the most important first step to make public transport more accessible?
Currently, the main message is for them to listen to us. We need to get in contact with people who have personal experiences, to identify examples of good and less good practices in Slovenia and abroad. From this model, we could then create a functional public transport system together. One of the major projects currently is the renovation of Ljubljana’s train station. I think it is essential that various disability and non-profit organizations, as well as individuals with different needs, are included in the planning.
A few years ago, you were also attracted to Erasmus+. Through this international project, you also participated in several exchanges. You were in Turkey, Italy, and Spain. What was that experience like for you?
For me, it was an excellent experience. I traveled there with friends and acquaintances, and it seems to me that such experiences abroad bring people closer because you face travel, organization, and group dynamics that are different from home. Also, in terms of retrospection, I learned a lot about myself. It seems to me that a person can grow tremendously by broadening their perspective outside Slovenia.
You often collaborate with the National Council of Disability Organizations of Slovenia, and you are currently part of their beautiful photographic exhibition Nothing Different Life, which was prepared by photographer Primož Lavre. It will be opened to the public for the first time on Tuesday, January 21st, at the Atrium of the City Hall in Ljubljana. What was that experience like?
The collaboration with Primož was truly wonderful. I think the title Nothing Different Life carries a lot of meaning – we just want to live our lives. Primož captured this in the best possible way. You can see that he put a lot of effort into this exhibition. What I respect the most is that we met in person before the photoshoot. He took the time to get to know me, because only in this way could the photo we chose for the exhibition truly shine. It is not just a photograph, but a medium that carries a story. We created it on the stage of the SNG Opera and Ballet Ljubljana, and the setting was truly beautiful. Primož succeeded in immortalizing my love for dance with his photos.
You can watch the entire podcast on the NSIOS YouTube channel by clicking HERE.
Author: Lara Gril Photo: Nastija Fijolič, Jacek Reda, personal archive (for each photograph)
