UAE: Paralyzed after accident, adventurer now raises awareness about disability – News

Mohammed Hasan Al-Mutawwa’s journey is marked by deep resilience and a dedication to helping others. After a tragic accident left him paralyzed in 2018, he focused on empowering people with disabilities and raising awareness of the challenges they face.

Before the accident, he was an active adventurer. “I was always active, always moving,” he recalls. However, after the accident, her path shifted towards advocating and supporting others, especially those living with disabilities.

In the months since he returned to Dubai following treatment in the United States, Mohammed has resumed his role as director of the sustainability department at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). His health improved enough to allow him to continue his work, but he also felt a renewed sense of determination.

Mohammed began documenting his experience online, in an effort to provide support to others in similar situations. He noticed a significant gap in Arabic-language content about living with a disability. So he started creating videos to offer practical advice, raise awareness and share his personal journey.

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One of his most impactful videos showed how he installed a specialized car control device that allowed him to drive, which deeply touched viewers and provided valuable information about mobility options for people with disabilities.

The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, with many people expressing gratitude for his content and seeking his advice. Mohammed’s online presence has fostered a sense of connection, allowing him to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people of determination and to help others in similar circumstances.

Beyond his online efforts, Mohammed was appointed to the Advisory Council for People of Determination, where he worked for four years, reviewing policies and advocating for laws that would better support people with disabilities.

“The paralysis happened at the same time”

The life-changing incident happened in 2018 when Mohammed was visiting a farm in Dibba with his friends. Mohammed misjudged the depth of the pool and dove in headfirst. Instead of hitting the water, his head hit the bottom of the pool, causing him serious injuries. “The paralysis happened at the same time,” he explained.

At first he thought he had simply hit his head, but panic set in when his friends heard the loud thud of his head hitting the concrete. Rushing to help him, they realized he couldn’t move. “I didn’t care much about my head injury; I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to move my body anymore,” he recalled, describing the fear and confusion he felt at the time.

Following the accident, Mohammed was rushed to a hospital in Dubai, where he was treated for a fractured cervical vertebra. After undergoing spinal fusion surgery and spending nearly two months in the hospital, he remained uncertain about the future and whether he would ever be able to regain full mobility.

Determined to understand his injury and find hope, he began researching spinal injuries and the potential for recovery. “I found that spinal injuries often come with complications in the nervous system and other areas,” he said. Doctors advised him that he would likely need to adjust to life in a wheelchair, prompting him to begin physical therapy to regain his muscle strength and relearn basic skills like writing and speaking. car driving.

A pivotal moment in Mohammed’s journey came when Mattar Al-Tayer, Director General of the RTA, visited him in hospital. Offering encouragement, Al-Tayer reassured Mohammed, “Don’t worry; we will arrange a treatment trip for you and your station at work will be waiting for you to return. This visit prompted Mohammed to travel to the United States for intensive rehabilitation.

His time in the United States was both challenging and transformative. Mohammed underwent four to five months of physical therapy, often feeling disconnected and uncertain about his future. “It felt more like a sightseeing trip than a treatment program,” he reflects, noting the lack of structure during his recovery. Sometimes he wondered if he would be able to return to his old life and how his injury might affect his marriage.