This week Warrior Wednesday is Saoud. He is an 18 years old computer science student and public speaker from Quebec, Canada 🇨🇦. ⁠

Due to his recent injury, he has been restricted to a wheelchair but that doesn't stop him from living beyond his medical conditions ♿. ⁠
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Saoud shares his story and personal experience to help young amputees to overcome challenges and school bullying.

Read below to learn more about his journey ⬇️

Let us continue to fight together and inspire each other.

Fight, inspire, breathe, repeat.

Saoud's Story

Hello, I am Saoud. I am an 18 years old computer science student, originally from Casablanca, Morocco and immigrated to Quebec, Canada at the age of 10. 

At 1 year old, I was diagnosed with Spina Bifida and Scoliosis. Last year, I was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, which is a rare bone infection disease with 40% survival rate.

What was the hardest part of your medical journey that you had to overcome?

Fortunately for me, Spina Bifida and Scoliosis are not degenerative conditions, so these diagnoses hit me when I was a toddler and they stay the same for the rest of my life. The hardest year was when I was diagnosed with osteomyelitis with 40% survival rate. I was very lucky because the infection could've spread through my whole body and literally kill me, but it didn't.

How do you live beyond your medical condition? What motivates you to live beyond it?

Because of my medical conditions, my childhood was a little bit different than most of my peers’. I am very thankful for my parents and my amazing team of doctors, who have worked hard to ensure that I have the best childhood experience as possible. They are the kind of people who don’t give up on me and believe that I am more than my medical conditions. My diagnoses describe the disabilities, I have to live with, but they are not my limitations.

I was a competitive swimmer for 5 years and won the Bronze medal in Quebec Games in 2016. Ever since my recent injury, I've been restricted to a wheelchair but that doesn’t stop me from playing sports. I have been playing sledge hockey for the past 2 years. Recently I received the silver medal in Para-Hockey Adaptive provincial tournament. 

What would you say to others who are experiencing a similar medical journey?

I encourage everyone to get out of the house and do the activity that you love and don’t let your diagnosis stops you, believe in yourself and don't let other people determine your worth.

This past summer I worked as an ambassador for The War Amps association where I use my voice and personal experience to help young amputees to overcome challenges and school bullying. I want show to the other people, that even though some of us can't walk on both our legs, we still manage to live life to its fullest. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.