Director-Francesco Chiolo; Redazione-Albertina Ivana Bonvento, Roberto Denti, Angelo Straolzini; Istituto Policleto, via Creta, 26/25124 Brescia, Italy
Telephone: 011 39 030/221710 FAX: 030/225376 Author: Roberto Denti - Pages 65-68
Intervista a Sylvia Oberti, "C'E Chi Corre Alla Mille Miglia Per Aiutare Gli Altri"
Interview with Sylvia Oberti: "There Is Someone Who Is Running In The Mille Miglia In Order To Help Other People."
There is a very beautiful woman in the Mille Miglia, who is running alone. But this is just what we see, as she doesn't really run alone. Her race is unique, just to cross the finishing line is a victory, as every kilometer is significant so as to raise money for people who are unfortunate and who suffer.
This is the story of Sylvia Oberti, from Oakland California with Genovese (Genova) origins. This is the magical story of the "Red Arrow and the little red sport car," a SIATA from 1951. Sylvia Oberti sees it and "falls in love" with it. "It pleaded with me, 'Buy me!' I couldn't resist buying it. It was necessary to find a new life for the little red SIATA. This is the secret force of Sylvia, to give new life to people who believe they have no more life. To create a new possibility for people who believe they have no more possibilities. But everything happens like in a fairy-tale and the SIATA returns after a lifetime away from home.
Sylvia wrote to Costantino Franchi of the Mille Miglia and with the 'acceptance' confirmed in 1992 the adventure begins. Everyone asks her how she could do it? How can she go to Italy? Are you driving alone? "Yes, alone." Are you afraid? She had a friend who died racing in the Mille Miglia in 1990, and she knows just how dangerous it is. You don't speak Italian? "I will manage." One of the many problems could be that the Mille Miglia isn't seen or understood from the other side of the ocean. "I found some friends to accompany me on the adventure, in spirit. I did not feel alone in the race of 1992 because it was like having 150 friends driving with me!"
Sylvia Oberti raises money to enable handicapped people. She is the manager of a small philanthropic organization and looks for unusual sponsors in the USA. She proposes a challenge - she will drive solo in the Mille Miglia if the sponsors of her charity will donate money for every mile/kilometer completed. There is an ancient saying that says Love and Friendship are like an echo, they give what they receive. What does she do? She drives for a good cause raising money for those that are in need.
For eighteen years she has been a specialized counselor and consultant working for people who have suffered from accidents, traumas with personal and financial damage. They can not continue to work any more in what they know. People whose lives have been shattered. "I want to explain to them that their life in not broken, that there will always be a possibility to begin again, to return to a meaningful life. And that we can discover this possibility together. Sometimes it is necessary to find the courage to live. I help them to find hope again. There is no particular formula, every situation is different, I have to help them find a new path. I try to help change the lives of people who think life is over." Like Sherlock Holmes, she must uncover clues to discover new light and a new passion for this person. For example, there was a young man that was working to repair the fallen road after an earthquake in Oakland. He was crushed in an accident while working and he was terribly hurt with broken legs, back and arms. He was operated on 24 times in 5 years. "When I met him, he didn't know what to do. He was 33 years old and had a family to support. He was in despair and feeling like an invalid. What could I do for him? I listened to him and I heard the story of his life. I understood that he liked to repair guns. He was very talented with his hands. So I proposed to him to become an armorer and a gunsmith with training. Now he is working and is a very good gunsmith and his family does not have financial difficulties. He is living a new life and I am happy for him and his family."
Another story? "There was a woman, 59 years old and a widow, that had a terrible accident injuring her back forever changing her life. She can not lift any weight, stoop or bend. What to do? She had no school degree, but was very clever in caring for and educating her own children. She went to college to become a nursery school teacher. Now she is born again! She has new purpose and loves her life, isn't it wonderful?"
This year is the sixth Mille Miglia that Sylvia Oberti is running, keeping the spirit of the first time but with many more fans, cheers and applause during the race. During the first race she was encouraged to race safely by Mrs. June Schanbacher, William Schanbacher's wife. William was killed in the 1990 Mille Miglia. "My William will look after you from heaven and protect you I am sure." Also from a distance is someone watching over her, a young man of Dutch decent, John DeBoer, who acts as her Guardian Angel. He is a good musician and for this reason he is also a very good mechanic. The motor of her little SIATA has a very particular singing and it needs precise care and tuning.
Sylvia Oberti has to go, because a lot of journalists call her for interviews and photos. She has a smile for everyone. She dresses with a white scarf and driver's suit like a pilota. She has a St. Cristoforo's medal on a necklace, the protector of travelers, and a blessed cross from Pope John Paul II. There is also a symbol, a little pink ribbon, like the ribbon for the fight against AIDS. She is a member of NBCC that sustains the fight against Breast Cancer. "I have five friends who have breast cancer and are very courageous in their fight against cancer. These are the really brave women!"
Sylvia Oberti's face is luminous, her eyes are Mediterranean eyes - they tell that there is joy in the world every time you must begin again, because anything is possible! It is very important to live, as to 'live' is to be born again, always, in every moment and again in each new moment.
(Mr. Roberto Denti personalized his story to Sylvia Oberti by stating, "E' solo l'amore che muove il mondo ..." - "Only love can move the world ...")