Ghanim Al-Muftah was born in Qatar 20 years ago with a congenital condition called caudal regression syndrome, which causes the lower part of a fetus’ spine not to form completely. This meant he would be born without legs.
Ghanim’s mother was advised by doctors and several other people around her at the time to have an abortion, to spare the child and the parents this suffering. After all, she was pregnant with twins and the other child was expected to be born healthy.
But she was dead set against it. She told her husband, “If he’s born without legs, you will be one leg for our child and I will be the other.”
Today, Ghanim is internationally known, especially in the Arab world, because he has made a name for himself through YouTube and social media platforms as a motivational speaker.
He has 4 million followers on Instagram and nearly 1 million on YouTube, and he’s also on Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok. Watching him is a lesson in self-improvement: he travels, plays sports, has a social life, gives lectures, studies political science in the United Kingdom … He’s more active than many people with fewer physical challenges.
Now he’s at the World Cup in Qatar, his country, and from there he has been spreading his message of love for life. He stresses that he has to focus on his blessings and not on his difficulties.
He’s been in the spotlight with various celebrities, including former soccer player David Beckham, and the images are spreading on the internet.
One of the most striking encounters was that of Ghanim Al-Muftah with Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman at the opening ceremony. On stage, both transmitted the idea that life deserves to be lived despite the limitations and difficulties we may face.
And today we celebrate...