Born in 2005, Alexandra Rexová is a visually impaired Slovak Paralympian representing Slovakia in para-alpine skiing. She competed in the Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2022, where she won a gold medal in Super G and a bronze medal in slalom at the age of sixteen.
Achievements
•2020/2021: Won the large crystal globe for overall victory in the World Cup.
•2021/2022: Won a gold medal in Super G and a bronze medal in slalom at the Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing 2022.
•2022/2023: Won a silver medal in the super combined and a bronze medal in downhill at the World Championships in Espot, Spain.
•2023/2024: Won the large crystal globe for overall victory in the World Cup, 2nd place overall in slalom, giant slalom, and Super G, and 3rd place overall in downhill.
Goals
To win a gold Paralympic medal in slalom at the Winter Paralympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo 2026 and the small crystal globe for slalom in the World Cup.
“I wish for greater media coverage of parasports and for them to be conducted at a high professional level. I also aim to motivate and support my younger brother, who has the same disability, as well as many other promising parasport athletes in skiing.”
About Alexandra Rexová
She has been skiing since she was five years old, although she first tried skis at the age of three, taught by her mother and grandfather. At seven, she began to lose her sight due to a rare genetic disease called Stargardt’s disease, which causes loss of central vision. As a child, she enjoyed playing football, tennis, and hockey but could no longer track the ball or puck. She had to give up many sports due to severe spatial orientation issues.
At twelve, she was still skiing recreationally, so her mother signed her up for a talent competition for para skiers. She joined the para-alpine skiing team and has been professionally involved in para-alpine skiing since. In 2019, she competed for the first time in the European Cup in Slovakia, where she won two gold and one silver medal.
About the Brave Saška (and the Golden Toilet)
“About the Brave Saška (and the Golden Toilet)” is an inclusive children’s book about the story of Alexandra Rexová, intended for preschool and younger school-age children. It presents the topic of including children with disabilities into regular groups through the life story of Alexandra Rexová. It also introduces the topic of parasports, specifically para-alpine skiing. The book was created in collaboration with CSR activities of the company Syntax, is available in both Slovak and English, and its audio version is available on our website. The book was written by Darka Šefčík Starnová and illustrated by Chiara Helységová.
About the Brave Saška (and the Golden Toilet) is an inclusive children’s book about the story of Alexandra Rexová, intended for preschool and younger school-age children.
The book accessibly addresses the inclusion of children with disabilities into regular groups, using the life story of visually impaired skier Alexandra Rexová as an example. It also introduces the topic of parasports, specifically para-alpine skiing.
The book is accompanied by a methodology guide with frequently asked questions and several activities, available on this page.
Created in collaboration with the CSR activities of Syntax, the book is available in both Slovak and English, with its audio version accessible below in both languages.
SK Verzia
O statočnej Saške (a zlatom záchode) číta: Slavomíra Fulínová, nahrali NH6
EN Version
About Brave Saška (and the Golden Toilet) read by: Valentyna Maksimova, recorded by NH6
Book Information
Title: About the Brave Saška (and the Golden Toilet)
Text: Darka Šefčík Starnová
Illustrations and Graphic Design: Chiara Helységová
Proofreading: Lucia Gianitsová Ološtiaková
English Translation: Private Gymnasium Katkin Park, Košice
Audio Version: NH6, narrated by Slavomíra Fulínová and Valentyna Maksimova
Published by: VIVA – Art Center, o. z.
What is the Book "About the Brave Saška and the Golden Toilet" About and Who is it For?
The inclusive book "About the Brave Saška (and the Golden Toilet)" is designed for children, parents, and teachers. Inspired by the true story of Slovak para skier Alexandra Rexová, who won a gold Paralympic medal in Beijing at sixteen, this book highlights important issues of inclusion while motivating both able-bodied and disabled children towards positive societal values.
Why is the Book Inclusive?
The concept of inclusion involves removing barriers between individuals with disabilities, social disadvantages, or other differences and the rest of society, of which they are already equal members. This approach is crucial not only in education but also in everyday life. Well-executed inclusion can prevent many negative phenomena. The book demonstrates that a person with a disability can be our friend, achieve success in life, or even win gold in the most prestigious world sports competition.
Why is the Book So Detailed? *Applies to the Braille Version
The book is also written in Braille, intended for the visually impaired, included for educational reasons. The illustrations are designed in consultation with visually impaired individuals and can be perceived through touch. The entire story is available in an audio version, making it suitable for a broader audience.
What Can We Do After Reading the Book?
Certainly, talk about it. At home, in kindergarten, in school, in clubs... Besides discussions, you can try several activities focused on understanding visually impaired or blind individuals (listed below). You can also follow and support Slovak or international parasport athletes. Extend a helping hand to a friend or acquaintance in need and treat them as equals.
Common Questions from Children/Students and How to Respond
Why do Saška (or other children) have eye problems?
The reasons vary. Sometimes it's by chance, sometimes due to an injury. What's important is not why it happened, but that people with disabilities are here, living among us, and only through joint efforts will they be full-fledged members of society.
How does Saška see?
If Saška stood in front of the class as a teacher and looked at the students, she would see that there are people in the room but wouldn't see their faces clearly; they would be blurry. Eye diseases vary, and Saška's is called Stargardt disease.
What other sports can visually impaired or disabled people do?
There are several sports, some suitable only for wheelchair users (e.g., curling or basketball), others for various disabilities but not for the visually impaired (e.g., table tennis), while some allow everyone to compete, such as in paraswimming. (Further examples can be easily found online.)
How should I behave towards a visually impaired person?
Treat them like any other friend or acquaintance. There's no need to be overly cautious about using words like "see" around them. But if needed, offer help, such as pointing out steps or other obstacles.
Does Saška attend school normally?
Saška went to school like other children but needed additional aids for studying: a reading magnifier for reading text, a computer or mobile phone to work with tasks or pictures more easily. Due to her professional sports career, she couldn’t attend school regularly, so she has an individual study plan, learning at home and taking exams at school.
How does the "friend computer" help Saška read?
In Saška's case, it mainly enlarges everything so she can read and work with large letters. Computers can do much more, though—reading text aloud, describing pictures for the blind, navigating the internet, and providing significant help.
Does Saška get paid for skiing?
This is a bit complex. She receives some money for ski preparation and medals from the Paralympics or World Championships, but she isn't employed as an athlete yet. Efforts are being made to change this.
How is a guide chosen?
A guide is selected among skilled skiers who enjoy skiing, are responsible, and have a good relationship with the skier they guide. Typically, it’s a former racer who finds fulfillment in this role.
Where can I see Saška skiing?
Possibly during training on some Slovak or Austrian slopes. In competitions like the World Championships and Paralympics, she might be seen on TV. Saška also competes in the World Cup, held on various slopes worldwide, although these races aren't usually broadcast on TV. We hope this will change soon.
What does Saška want to be?
Saška would like to be a sports journalist one day.
Why didn't Saška eat carrots?
This is our favorite question. Carrots are certainly healthy, but interestingly, they aren't the best remedy for Saška's condition.
For other interesting questions, feel free to contact us, and we’ll try to answer.
Suggested Activities with Children:
Activity 1 – Guiding Through Space
In pairs, one person is blindfolded while the other guides them through the classroom or another space using instructions or touch. This activity, often used in trust training or adult education, emphasizes the obstacles visually impaired people face daily. Remember to explain that this difference shouldn't exclude them from the group; rather, with interest and help, we can have a great friend who can navigate through space using other senses.
Activity 2 - Accessibility
Discuss accessibility with older children. How many times did the guide have to warn the "blind" partner about steps or other obstacles? Could an elderly person with a cane or someone in a wheelchair navigate the same path? Discuss how to make spaces more accessible.
Activity 3 – Sixth Sense
Visually impaired people often compensate for their lack of sight with other senses. Try to identify someone entering a room without seeing or asking them. This experiment works best in familiar settings with friends or family. What gave it away? Their walk, the sound of keys, rustling of a bag, footsteps, or a specific smell?
Activity 4 – How Are You?
For this activity, you'll need any old picture frame and plastic wrap. Wrap the frame in plastic to create a few layers in the center. Two students sit on opposite sides of the "picture." One expresses an emotion, and the other tries to guess it through the plastic. The goal is to show that visually impaired people may not notice subtle facial expressions but can still understand emotions by asking.
Activity 5 – I Like You!
This activity emphasizes the importance of love and friendship. In pairs or small groups, each person says why they like the other. This activity supports friendly relationships and shows that we should care for one another. Children typically don't discriminate based on diversity—such as skin color, nationality, or visual impairment—until later in life. Preventing segregation can be simple: telling each other what we like about one another is a straightforward step.
Press Release
Snow Launch in June in Košice
Košice, June 7, 2024
On Friday, a unique event took place at the Private Gymnasium Katkin Park in Košice—the launch of the inclusive children’s book “About the Brave Saška (and the Golden Toilet)” by author Darka Šefčík Starnová. This event attracted significant attention, highlighted by the presence of the gold Paralympian Alexandra Rexová.
The book “About the Brave Saška (and the Golden Toilet)” is an inclusive children’s book about the story of Alexandra Rexová, intended for preschool and younger school-age children. It accessibly addresses the inclusion of children with disabilities into regular groups, using the life story of visually impaired skier Alexandra Rexová as an example. It also introduces the topic of parasports, specifically para-alpine skiing.
The book is accompanied by an audio version and a methodology guide with frequently asked questions and several activities.
This book launch was not only a literary celebration but also an opportunity to highlight the interesting collaboration between various institutions and individuals who, at first glance, may not have completely aligned focuses but share an interest in important societal values. As the author mentioned in the discussion, the book was published by OZ VIVA - Art Center, with significant support from the CSR program of the Košice branch of the IT company SYNTAX SYSTEMS and the support of REXA & ROMAN PARTNERS s.r.o. The book is closely linked with the prevention project “Don’t Give Up, Talk About It.” The audio version and musical accompaniment of the event were provided by the well-known visually impaired rappers Norbert and Henrich Wilnrotter (NH6), with the Slovak voice of the book being the famous actress of the Jonáš Záborský Theatre in Prešov, Slavomíra Fulínová, and the English voice by Valentyna Maksimova, a student of acting at the Private Conservatory in Košice (SKKE). The English translation of the book and methodology was handled by the bilingual section students of the host school. The author also thanked the illustrator Chiara Helységová, whose work is successful both domestically and abroad, and all the advisory voices from psychologists, counseling centers, and kindergartens that are open to working with the book and methodology.
Alexandra Rexová, whose sporting achievements and determination are living proof that great things can be achieved despite obstacles, spoke to the attendees about the importance of perseverance and self-belief. Her presence added special significance to the event and underscored the values that the book promotes. Additionally, seeing her valuable World Cup medals was a great experience, especially for the students.
“I am immensely pleased to have been part of this beautiful event. The book ‘About the Brave Saška (and the Golden Toilet)’ is truly exceptional, and I hope my story inspires many children to never give up on their dreams,” said Alexandra Rexová during the launch.
“The launch of the book ‘About the Brave Saška (and the Golden Toilet)’ was a significant step towards spreading inclusive values in our society. We believe the book will be very successful with readers,” said Dominik Dupľák, co-author of the project “Don’t Give Up, Talk About It,” which focuses on bullying prevention and other risky behaviors in schools and includes the exceptional story of Alexandra Rexová.
It was not easy to find artificial snow for the book launch in June, but Perinbaba (the snow fairy) was not idle and seemed to try to help with massive hail. Ultimately, artificial snow was found in one of the kindergartens, and nothing stood in the way of the ceremonial act.