Paula
Paula Umana is a former professional tennis player, a Catholic mother of five children and wife to Dr. Serge Sautré, french Chiropractor. After her 5th childbirth, she suddenly became sick due to a nervous system disorder called CIDP which left her quadriplegic.
Paula is an award-winning Athlete , Speaker, and TV Host who has been featured on various TV shows including news at Univision , and Bookmark, Nuestra Fe en vivo and at Home with Jim and Joy on EWTN.
Today, she shares her story and all of her experience to inspire: faith-based groups, women, people with disabilities, athletes, people enduring suffering, and corporations through her conferences that will make you laugh, cry and be driven to make changes in your life.
My Story
After hundreds of prayers and pilgrimages from friends and family and extreme treatments, Paula was able to start moving thanks to her faith, joy from the Holy Spirit, and courage. She progressed from her bed to a wheelchair, to a walker, and is currently able to walk with the help of miraculous leg devices. All of these milestones were achieved on specific dates that were directly connected with Mary Mother of Jesus especially the Virgin of Lourdes which granted her miracles for her progress.
With hope and courage, she surpassed everyone’s expectations. She has persistently pressed on throughout her entire life, something that led her to becoming the #1 tennis player in her country of origin, Costa Rica, and Central America. With a Major in International Trade, and a fluency in English, Spanish and French, Paula has become an International Speaker with experience in the U.S. and Central America. Previously she founded her own company “Coach Paula Tennis” serving as the president and coach in Atlanta Georgia, the city where she currently lives.
Paula, who is not only a businesswoman, a constantly-reinventing handicapped person, and a tennis coach, but a mother to four girls and one boy who is redefining what it means to be handicapped managing her house, her business, and her children.
She has had to manage the suffering and trials due to her handicapped condition, which inspired her to write her book "40 gifts of Hope" about suffering management for the sick. The book is filled with faith and touching stories of the ill who found a way out of their darkness. Being completely paralyzed, she learned to live a life offering her suffering to the Lord for others.