Amid the presence of high-ranking security officials from over 110 countries, Adele Gesso, Deputy Officer of the Italian State Police – Road Police, shone brightly at the World Police Summit Award Ceremony held at the Dubai Police Officers Club, where she was honoured for her inspiring journey and triumph over various challenges, making a significant positive impact in her community.

Seated in her wheelchair, Gesso received the “People of Determination Excellence Award” in a moment filled with tears of pride. The audience applauded and stood in respect for a woman who has transformed her tragedy into an inspiring human story.

This recognition was not just an honour but an international acknowledgment of the courage and determination of a woman who transformed her personal tragedy into a story of hope and change. Her dedication of 12 years as a police inspector and 24 years as a civil administration official underscores her powerful message that determination transcends physical limitations and that true strength is not measured by the number of steps taken but by the impact of the message one leaves behind wherever they go.

Life-Altering Accident

The story of Gesso begins on September 16, 1996, when she was on duty on the A6 motorway with a colleague, responding to an urgent call to track down a car. With the flashing lights and siren activated, they drove in the overtaking lane when her colleague prepared to overtake another vehicle in the first lane. Suddenly, the driver of that vehicle swerved into their lane, cutting them off. To avoid a collision, the service car struck the left guardrail, spinning out of control and ultimately disintegrating.

As a result of this accident, Gesso suffered permanent partial paralysis while her colleague sustained a serious head injury.

At that time, Gesso was a vibrant 29-year-old with dreams and ambitions. However, this accident drastically changed her life, both personally and professionally.

Gesso said, “Facing the reality of my injury and my inability to wear the military uniform again—a second skin for me—was incredibly difficult. Returning to my work environment, surrounded by my colleagues, and continuing in a career I chose with deep conviction and passion posed a significant challenge. I experienced very tough moments when I realized that my independence and control over my own life had shifted to feelings of weakness and reliance on others.”

Journey of Pain and Challenge

Rather than closing the chapter, Gesso opened a new one in her life. Determined not to give up, she returned to the police force in 1999 after years of treatment and rehabilitation, transforming what many perceived as “the end of the journey” into the beginning of a new path.

Gesso said, “I didn’t choose to be injured, but I chose to keep moving forward; that was my freedom. My desire to remain active in the community, despite my disability, and my passion for my profession inspired me to navigate this transition by getting my driver’s license again. This allowed me to go to work independently in a car equipped for people with determination.” She added, “I’m grateful to my department and colleagues for their continuous support, as they’ve adapted my office to fit my new life.”

From Fieldwork to Influence

Gesso moved from the roads to awareness platforms, shifting from fieldwork to influencing the minds of future generations. She didn’t limit herself to office tasks; instead, she actively engaged in community outreach, promoting road safety. Visiting schools and universities across Italy, she shared her experiences with students, encouraging them to respect traffic laws and warning them about the consequences—not from a theoretical perspective but from the depth of her own experience.

Gesso explained, “The message I carry is that a physical disability doesn’t diminish the ability to make an impact.”

Her commitment to making a difference didn’t stop there; she also offered specialized training for officers at the Police State Training Centre in Cesena. Additionally, she participated in various traffic education projects, such as the Icaro project, and engaged in numerous conferences dedicated to the safety of both police personnel and community members.

Reclaiming the Badge

One day in 2017, in the quiet town of Neilla Tanaro, she was preparing to head to a school for an awareness lecture when she heard a gentle knock at her door. Her mother opened it to find a group of police officers holding a box wrapped in a blue ribbon adorned with the Italian police logo. One of the officers smiled and said, “We have something for Gesso; sorry for the delay in delivering it.”

Gesso opened the box to discover her official uniform—neatly arranged, showcasing the rank she had held before the accident, along with an updated version that displayed her new name as a national inspiration for civic awareness. She paused, touching the uniform as if reconnecting with an old memory. With a smile mixed with tears, she said, “I didn’t ask for this, but it arrived just when I needed it.”

That day, she didn’t give her lecture in civilian clothes as usual; instead, she wore her official uniform for the first time in years. She stepped out of her home not as a guest of honour but as an officer returning to serve in a new way—one that didn’t require standing but making her voice heard. She became a representative of the Italian police at various awareness events.

Message to the World

Gesso said, “I hope my experience can inspire others. I truly believe that life is always an extraordinary opportunity and that there’s always a chance for a comeback. For me, the key is to see one’s situation from a new perspective and reshape goals accordingly, always with a spirit of initiative, strength, and commitment. My painful experience has pushed me to face life and move forward.”

Recognition Tells a Story

Gesso expressed her admiration for the Dubai Police’s commitment to people of determination and shared her gratitude for receiving the People of Determination Excellence Award. She stated, “Thanks to the Dubai Police not just for this recognition, but for the powerful humanitarian message it conveys. You’ve shown me that a wheelchair doesn’t prevent anyone from stepping onto the stage. This recognition isn’t just for me; it’s for everyone who continues to move forward despite the challenges.”

She concluded, “Receiving this award is a tremendous motivation to continue my journey. More importantly, it sends a powerful message to the world about integrating people of determination into law enforcement. This recognition raises global awareness of the true potential of people of determination. It emphasizes the importance of their inclusion in society, ensuring equal opportunities—a crucial step toward building a more equitable community.”