Norma Bastidas, a mother-of-two, is a celebrated ultra-marathoner. Her achievements include trekking across the Sahara Desert and running a double-marathon over Antarctica.
Norma Bastidas the ultra-marathoner —
Norma Bastidas, a mother-of-two, is a celebrated ultra-marathoner. Her achievements include trekking across the Sahara Desert and running a double-marathon over Antarctica.
Courtesy iEmpathize/Norma Bastidas
Aged 19, Bastidas was offered a modeling job in Japan. Unfortunately, once she arrived in Japan the job didn't materialize and she became a victim of human trafficking.
Childhood abuse —
Aged 19, Bastidas was offered a modeling job in Japan. Unfortunately, once she arrived in Japan the job didn't materialize and she became a victim of human trafficking.
Courtesy iEmpathize/Norma Bastidas
After Bastidas escaped her traffickers she later married and relocated to Vancouver, Canada. But she developed a drinking problem and her marriage failed.
Her son's diagnosis —
After Bastidas escaped her traffickers she later married and relocated to Vancouver, Canada. But she developed a drinking problem and her marriage failed.
Courtesy iEmpathize/Norma Bastidas
She took up running to cope with the stress she was facing, and within six months of putting on her first pair of running shoes, Bastidas qualified for one of the world's most high-profile races, the Boston Marathon.
Marathoning for trafficking survivors —
She took up running to cope with the stress she was facing, and within six months of putting on her first pair of running shoes, Bastidas qualified for one of the world's most high-profile races, the Boston Marathon.
Courtesy iEmpathize/Norma Bastidas
"It's been an incredibly long journey. I wish I could tell [other human trafficking victims] that it takes only one or two steps, but it is a commitment. I cannot undo what has been done," she says.
Raising awareness —
"It's been an incredibly long journey. I wish I could tell [other human trafficking victims] that it takes only one or two steps, but it is a commitment. I cannot undo what has been done," she says.
Courtesy iEmpathize/Norma Bastidas