Published on: 28/11/2024 Updated on: 20/02/2025
The motor therapy that Vanni Oddera, Mafra ambassador, brings to children's hospitals has been recognized by Parliament as "complementary therapy": an important step for initiatives of great social value
Motorcycle therapy has been recognized by a law passed by Parliament as a "complementary therapy." It means that along with the indispensable medical therapies, mototherapy is now recognized as a methodology that benefits cancer patients on an emotional, relational and human level. Just as it happens with other types of therapies, implemented with music, clowns and animals.
This is true for pediatric patients admitted to the oncology and hematology wards of hospitals, but it is also true for all people with disabilities, to whom motor therapy offers a moment of serenity and distraction from suffering due to illness or disability.
Vanni Oddera, father of motor therapy
Explaining exactly what motor therapy is and how it works is Vanni Oddera. Vanni, whom we at Mafra support in his charitable activities, is a champion of freestyle motocross FMX, an acrobatic specialty implemented with dirt bikes.
This discipline does not reward speed, as is the case with other races, but the riders' ability to perform stunts, jumps and figures with dirt bikes.
Vanni became hooked on this world in 2002, after a long period spent in a wheelchair due to a fractured tibia and fibula he got in the woods near his home.
He started practicingFMX in 2003, immediately showing all his skills and soon began touring Italy and Europe to try his hand at spectacular competitions and performances.
Just as he was on his way to a competition, Vanni had a life-changing experience.
"In 2009 I was in Moscow to compete in an important race," he says, "and after getting on the podium, I took a cab to join friends who were celebrating at a nightclub. The car was dirty and smelly, but as I was about to complain I realized that the driver had no legs and was driving using homemade adaptations. We looked into each other's eyes, and at that moment I realized how fortunate I had been in my life and how important it was that I do something to give back to others some of the joy I had been able to enjoy-that's when I came up with the idea of motorcycle therapy."
Vanni's motor therapy in hospitals
Vanni 's activity takes place in two different ways. "On almost every weekend," he says, "I participate with my colleagues in motorcycle races or shows. To those who invite us, we propose to devote part of the day, usually the morning, to activities reserved for sick or disabled children."
The proposal is aimed at organizations, associations and hospitals with pediatric wards, which either bring patients who are able to move to attend the show or host it within their facilities.
"In outdoor shows we use our regular dirt bikes," Vanni continues, "while inside hospitals we employ electric ones."
The strongest emotions are aroused by the shows organized in the pediatric oncology and hematology wards: "Before us, friends arrive, dressed in princess dresses and superheroes with the gifts that many companies help us collect; then we enter with our motorcycles, which the most fragile children see whizzing by the threshold of their rooms, while those who are at less risk can even get on them, standing in our arms."
The aim is "to give them a moment of serenity and distraction, to make them smile and laugh, while also helping their families who are going through difficult times." Outdoor performances can be attended by anyone, while access to the wards is necessarily limited by strict security protocols.
Mafra products for motor therapy
We at Mafra also contribute to these initiatives. "Mafra helps me as a sponsor," Vanni explains, "but also through its products, which allow us to disinfect and sanitize the bikes and clothing before we enter the hospital and when we go from ward to ward. Thanks to Mafra, we did not stop even during the Covid pandemic, when we went house to house to bring our performances and some smiles."
Vanniand his friends devote their free time to this activity, without any disbursement from the state or public agencies.
Now motor therapy has gained important official recognition. "I think that with this measure we have brought some light into a path of care that must certainly always respect the conventional procedure, because we all need medicines, hospitals and doctors. However, I think it is equally important to have a dimension of life linked to the humanization of care, which also passes through the ability of complementary therapies such as mototherapy and in the recognition in the future of many other therapies such as clown therapy, music therapy, art therapy and all those we already know," commented the Minister for Disability Alessandra Locatelli.
Upcoming appointments with motorcycle therapy
Vanni also has a busy schedule of motorcycle therapy events in the weeks leading up to the end of 2024. On November 27, he is expected to attend the Gaslini Hospital in Genoa, Italy., on Dec. 4 the farm My Land of Angera (VA), on December 11 Savona awaits him, on December 12 again the Gaslini Hospital to celebrate Christmas, on December 19 the Policlinico San Matteo in Pavia, while on the morning of December 22 there will be a show through the alleys of Celle Ligure, dedicated to children with disabilities and illnesses, but which everyone can attend.
More events may still be added, but already on the calendar is a special event on Friday, January 23, at the Motor Bike Expo in Verona.
We at Mafra arealways by Vanni Oddera 's side in his motortherapy projects, with our products and support for his initiatives, which bring moments of joy to the most unfortunate children.
