Ahmed AlRaeesi transformed his adversity into advocacy, raising awareness about the dangers of speeding, following a life-altering accident on November 3, 2020. The 26-year-old Emirati's life took a dramatic turn when an argument between his brother and another driver on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road led to a devastating car crash. Since then, Ahmed has dedicated himself to promoting road safety, collaborating with organizations like Dubai Police, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library.
He actively participates in various awareness campaigns, urging young people to reconsider reckless driving. Speaking at the launch of the Regional Road Safety Report in the Eastern Mediterranean Region in Abu Dhabi, Ahmed emphasized, 'I know speed thrills and you love the adrenaline rush, but nobody wants to try this. It’s very hard. Waking up every morning and going anywhere. I have to use a wheelchair every day. I have to wash the silicon leg. It’s a long daily process. It’s not easy. It requires a lot of energy and effort.'
Ahmed, who now hosts his own podcast, shares stories of resilience from individuals who have overcome disabilities and achieved greatness. His mission is to inspire others to see possibilities rather than limitations. He often quotes, 'Recklessness destroys the soul of young people,' a sentiment he experienced firsthand as a co-passenger in the speeding vehicle that led to his accident.
Trapped in the wreckage for two harrowing hours, Ahmed was saved by emergency response teams who cut the car’s roof to rescue him. He then slipped into a coma for nine days, during which he felt himself on the brink of death. 'I have experienced this but thankfully, I came back to life. I didn't come back with the same physical shadow, but with a different one, though my soul remains the same. I got a second chance, but sadly, many others don’t. It’s not worth losing a limb over a piece of metal or the thrill of speed,' he said.
Upon waking up in the hospital, Ahmed faced the harsh reality of his injuries. Struggling to process the extent of his injuries, he finally confronted his mother for the truth. 'When I woke up, I knew I’d been in an accident, but I wasn’t sure if my leg was still there. One day, while I was in the ICU, my mother and I were sitting together. I told her I felt like everyone was lying to me. Initially, I couldn’t move, and when I woke up, even though my leg had been amputated, the nerves still made it feel like my toes were moving. But deep down, I sensed something was wrong. No one was answering my questions directly, so I turned to my mother and said, ‘You’re the one person in the world who wouldn’t lie to me. Tell me the truth — does my leg still exist?’ She lowered her chin, and in that moment, I had my answer. It was a big ‘shock for me’. I went to sleep and woke up again, but there was a profound sense of emptiness. I was only 22. At first, I thought life was over, khallas, a life with disabilities.'
Ahmed’s journey of recovery was arduous. Through intensive rehabilitation, he learned to walk again, albeit with difficulty. But it wasn’t just physical healing he sought — it was purpose. 'It’s not easy to walk with one leg…because I feel like I am jumping. After all these years, I have put that in the past, but you never return to that kind of a normal life…the way life was earlier. When I initially walked in front of people, I felt a different vibe. Even when I go to the gym, and work out in front of others, it is challenging. But ultimately, it depends on your thoughts,' he explained.
Shedding light on the process of inner change, Ahmed added, 'I believe if you are starving, don’t complain, say I am detoxing. In my situation, a lot of negative thoughts throng your mind and that can make you a negative person. But strive to come out of it towards a ray of hope. If a person wants to fight it out, everyone will be there to support you. But if you want to stare at the corner of your room and feel despondent, nobody will come to you.'
Today, Ahmed thrives as a Paralympic weightlifter, having won a bronze medal in 2022. His daily life is a testament to resilience — a rigorous routine of managing prosthetics, working out, and pursuing his passions for swimming, cycling, and travelling. 'I kept my prosthetic leg visible to familiarise others. Now, I embrace the stares. It’s an opportunity to change perceptions,' he said.
His dreams are big but rooted in determination, 'One day, I want to go to the Olympics. Each of my activity requires a different prosthetic leg — walking, running, swimming — but I’m ready for the challenge.'
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