Chapter Milestones: Chile

In 1976, Achilles International’s late founder Dick Traum made history as the first person with a prosthetic leg to complete the New York City Marathon, helping spark a movement that continues to redefine what’s possible for athletes with disabilities around the world.

As we approach the 50th anniversary of that historic finish, we’re celebrating the people, moments and milestones that have shaped Achilles along the way. Today, that movement spans 62 chapters worldwide, each with its own story to tell.

We asked Achilles Chile to reflect on the milestones that have defined their chapter’s journey, the memories that stand out and what they’re looking forward to next. Read the chapter lead’s reflection below.  

Magdelis Dávila, Chapter Lead, Achilles Chile

My Achilles “a-ha” moment happened long before I ever imagined leading a chapter.

The first time I ran as a guide, I was paired with Alwin, a teenager from Panama who had lost his vision in a car accident. Despite everything he had been through, he was full of dreams, determination, and a desire to keep moving forward. Helping him complete his first 5K was a transformative experience, not only for him, but for me as well.

That day, I realized that Achilles is about so much more than running. Through sport, we help athletes discover what is possible, build confidence, and achieve goals they may have once thought were out of reach. At the same time, we as guides grow alongside them. Every mile teaches us empathy, resilience, gratitude, and the power of human connection.

From that moment on, I knew I wanted to dedicate my time and energy to creating more opportunities for athletes with disabilities to experience the joy and empowerment that sport can bring. That inspiration ultimately led me to become more involved and eventually take on a leadership role. Leading a chapter is my way of helping build a community where everyone belongs, everyone is challenged, and everyone has the opportunity to achieve something they never thought possible.

I am originally from Venezuela and lived in Panama for 12 years for work. During that time, I was an Achilles Panama guide for five years. In 2022, my family and I relocated to Santiago, Chile, also for professional reasons.

Leaving the Achilles community in Panama was very difficult for me, but I was excited about the opportunity to become part of the Achilles community in Chile. When I arrived, however, I discovered that there was no Achilles chapter in the country. It was a mix of emotions. I had assumed Achilles existed everywhere in the world.

Looking back, that discovery became an opportunity. It eventually allowed me to help establish Achilles Chile and introduce the mission and impact of this incredible international community to what was then a new country for me.

In Santiago, Chile, our journey began on February 7, 2025, when I met with an athlete with a disability for the first time to introduce Achilles and share my experience as a guide in Panama.

The chapter was officially established on May 21, 2025. It was a very exciting and meaningful milestone for all of us. Although Achilles Chile is a young chapter, we have already made a meaningful impact by creating opportunities for athletes with disabilities to participate in sports in an inclusive and supportive environment.

We have brought together athletes, guides, families, and volunteers, helping build a community centered on connection, confidence, and belonging. At the same time, we have helped raise awareness about inclusion and challenged perceptions about what people with disabilities can achieve.

For us, the impact goes beyond sport,it is about creating a more inclusive community for everyone. I started with one athlete, then three and today, a year later, we are a community of 20 athletes and 27 guides.

I am especially proud of the sense of belonging we have created. Seeing athletes gain confidence, achieve their goals, and form meaningful friendships reminds me why we started this journey. Every Sunday training session and every race reinforces that Achilles is changing lives, not only for our athletes, but for everyone involved.

The biggest lesson I have learned is that building an inclusive community starts with taking the first step, even when the path is uncertain. When we started Achilles Chile, we had no athletes, no guides, and no established network. What we did have was a belief in the mission and a willingness to connect with people.The first guides were my husband and I. Today, my girls want to be part of Achilles as guides and my brother who lives in Nevada, is part of Achilles Las Vegas Chapter as a guide, so this is an amazing example of leading with the example and joy.

I have learned that meaningful change happens through relationships, consistency, and showing up for others. When people feel welcomed, supported, and valued, incredible things can happen, both on and off the race course.