From Near Paralysis, To Running For Those Who Can’t

Defying Medical Prognosis, Aaser Abbasi Sets Sights on Glory in the World’s Biggest Run

Wings for Life World Run takes place this Sunday at Expo City, Dubai

2 May 2024, DUBAI, UAE :

In the shadow of the pandemic, when the world sought fragments of normality, Aaser Abbasi, a dedicated father and seasoned tech expert, sought to bring joy to his children with a visit to an amusement park on New Year’s Eve. Little did he know that the rollercoaster rides would jolt more than just adrenaline, resulting in a cervical displacement that threatened to rewrite his future.

Three medical experts in the United Arab Emirates delivered a chilling consensus: Aaser would be paralyzed for life. Undeterred, he perceived this not as an end, but as a starting line.

“We usually take our health for granted,” Abbasi muses, reflecting on his ordeal.

Aaser’s work in the tech realm, which demands mental agility and constant innovation, became a foundation for his physical recovery. It took two painstaking years of rehabilitation for him to rebuild his life from the brink of a lifelong paralysis.

“You’re blessed to be walking, just walk,” one doctor advised, after Aaser voiced his desire to compete in marathons. Today, he not only walks but runs, and will do so again this weekend at the charitable Wings for Life World Run in Expo City Dubai, a global race with a poignant mission: finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. In doing so, Aaser is not just running for his own triumph over adversity but also carrying the hopes of many who have been sidelined by fate.

It’s all part of his journey towards a formidable objective: to conquer all six major marathons, a testament to his indomitable spirit. Fueled by an unwavering dedication to sports and exercise, along with the right support system of doctors, family, and friends, his recovery has rendered him more focused than ever.

Aaser has become a model of resilience and determination, taking his son along on runs, imprinting on young minds the value of perseverance. “I’d like to inspire others, especially my kids,” he says.

The world’s largest running event, the Wings for Life World Run, connects runners and wheelchair users globally with a fun, unique format and compelling charitable objective. People around the world participate simultaneously – each at their own pace, with their own goals – and together they move us all closer to a cure for spinal cord injury, because 100% of entry fees goes to spinal cord research.

Register at www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com