Hala: A dear friend and my best physio

Besides swimming I also used to go to the gym. The gym contained a variety of exercise’s including weights, cycling, push ups and rowing. I used to enjoy going to the gym and made a number of good friends over there. There was a girl who used to be the trainer at the gym by the name of Hala and she would go on to become a very close friend and would assist me a lot in my struggle for getting fit.

My introduction to Hala

It all started at the gym where she would help me with a number of exercises and would show me how to do them. She introduced me to the recumbent bike and asked me to use it regularly with the help of other attendees. The bike helped me to lose a lot of weight as well as making my legs stronger. I was doing other exercises as well told by Hala which included using weights, abdominal push ups and holding the bar for my back. My progress was going well and Hala was happy with it.

One evening while I was at the gym Hala suggested that she can do physiotherapy with me at my house. Hala was a certified physiotherapist from the States. She clearly could see that I required physiotherapy for ataxia which I had and it would go a long way in helping me. I was very excited and thrilled about the idea of Hala coming over for physiotherapy.

Before Hala I did have a local physiotherapist who tried his best and also helped me to walk using the parallel bars which I had at home. Clearly he was no match for Hala. I did physiotherapy with Hala for over a year and it was excellent. We used to do different types of exercises including ball work, lying down exercises, hand movements, neck exercises and also some yoga poses.

Later on we also did walking using the parallel bars but Hala told me that my legs were not strong enough to walk and required further strengthening. She believed we needed to do pool therapy also, where I would be doing various exercises in the pool including swimming. Hala would stand by the pool and monitor my workout.

By coming for physiotherapy to my house Hala and I became very good friends. We used to go for lunch, meet at parties and I would call her at my birthday party as well as at dance balls at Sindh Club. I remember at a birthday party at the club, I made a speech in which I thanked Hala for her tremendous help and effort.

It indeed was one of the most enjoyable and memorable time for me when I used to be with Hala.. She would always used to take special care of me when we used to go for lunch or at a late night dance party at the club. Hala was extremely popular at the gym in Sindh Club and had a lot of friends outside the club.

I used to go to the gym after having physiotherapy in the morning and it was quite tiring. I would say that while doing my exercises with Hala my fitness was at an all time high. My body would be in perfect shape which would really have a positive impact on me and make me very motivated.

Being with Hala always used to make me very happy and I will admit having a crush on her. She told me that she would be leaving for the States along with her parents. It indeed was sad to see her leave, although she did leave me a physiotherapist who was obviously not good as her.

The Club also had a farewell dinner for her where I was invited also. It was very enjoyable and a few of my gym friends were also there. Hala had promised to do meditation with me and a couple of days before leaving she did that with me. It was so relaxing and I really enjoyed it.

I had promised to take her for lunch before she left which we went after meditation. I had also got to know one of Hala’s very close friends known as Faroukh, who went to become a very good friend of mine once Hala had left. The time I spent with Hala was definitely one of the highlights in my life so far.

Hala: A dear friend and my best physio

Besides swimming I also used to go to the gym. The gym contained a variety of exercise’s including weights, cycling, push ups and rowing. I used to enjoy going to the gym and made a number of good friends over there. There was a girl who used to be the trainer at the gym by the name of Hala and she would go on to become a very close friend and would assist me a lot in my struggle for getting fit.

My introduction to Hala

It all started at the gym where she would help me with a number of exercises and would show me how to do them. She introduced me to the recumbent bike and asked me to use it regularly with the help of other attendees. The bike helped me to lose a lot of weight as well as making my legs stronger. I was doing other exercises as well told by Hala which included using weights, abdominal push ups and holding the bar for my back. My progress was going well and Hala was happy with it.

One evening while I was at the gym Hala suggested that she can do physiotherapy with me at my house. Hala was a certified physiotherapist from the States. She clearly could see that I required physiotherapy for ataxia which I had and it would go a long way in helping me. I was very excited and thrilled about the idea of Hala coming over for physiotherapy.

Before Hala I did have a local physiotherapist who tried his best and also helped me to walk using the parallel bars which I had at home. Clearly he was no match for Hala. I did physiotherapy with Hala for over a year and it was excellent. We used to do different types of exercises including ball work, lying down exercises, hand movements, neck exercises and also some yoga poses.

Later on we also did walking using the parallel bars but Hala told me that my legs were not strong enough to walk and required further strengthening. She believed we needed to do pool therapy also, where I would be doing various exercises in the pool including swimming. Hala would stand by the pool and monitor my workout.

By coming for physiotherapy to my house Hala and I became very good friends. We used to go for lunch, meet at parties and I would call her at my birthday party as well as at dance balls at Sindh Club. I remember at a birthday party at the club, I made a speech in which I thanked Hala for her tremendous help and effort.

It indeed was one of the most enjoyable and memorable time for me when I used to be with Hala.. She would always used to take special care of me when we used to go for lunch or at a late night dance party at the club. Hala was extremely popular at the gym in Sindh Club and had a lot of friends outside the club.

I used to go to the gym after having physiotherapy in the morning and it was quite tiring. I would say that while doing my exercises with Hala my fitness was at an all time high. My body would be in perfect shape which would really have a positive impact on me and make me very motivated.

Being with Hala always used to make me very happy and I will admit having a crush on her. She told me that she would be leaving for the States along with her parents. It indeed was sad to see her leave, although she did leave me a physiotherapist who was obviously not good as her.

The Club also had a farewell dinner for her where I was invited also. It was very enjoyable and a few of my gym friends were also there. Hala had promised to do meditation with me and a couple of days before leaving she did that with me. It was so relaxing and I really enjoyed it.

I had promised to take her for lunch before she left which we went after meditation. I had also got to know one of Hala’s very close friends known as Faroukh, who went to become a very good friend of mine once Hala had left. The time I spent with Hala was definitely one of the highlights in my life so far.

Hala: A dear friend and my best physio

Besides swimming I also used to go to the gym. The gym contained a variety of exercise’s including weights, cycling, push ups and rowing. I used to enjoy going to the gym and made a number of good friends over there. There was a girl who used to be the trainer at the gym by the name of Hala and she would go on to become a very close friend and would assist me a lot in my struggle for getting fit.

My introduction to Hala

It all started at the gym where she would help me with a number of exercises and would show me how to do them. She introduced me to the recumbent bike and asked me to use it regularly with the help of other attendees. The bike helped me to lose a lot of weight as well as making my legs stronger. I was doing other exercises as well told by Hala which included using weights, abdominal push ups and holding the bar for my back. My progress was going well and Hala was happy with it.

One evening while I was at the gym Hala suggested that she can do physiotherapy with me at my house. Hala was a certified physiotherapist from the States. She clearly could see that I required physiotherapy for ataxia which I had and it would go a long way in helping me. I was very excited and thrilled about the idea of Hala coming over for physiotherapy.

Before Hala I did have a local physiotherapist who tried his best and also helped me to walk using the parallel bars which I had at home. Clearly he was no match for Hala. I did physiotherapy with Hala for over a year and it was excellent. We used to do different types of exercises including ball work, lying down exercises, hand movements, neck exercises and also some yoga poses.

Later on we also did walking using the parallel bars but Hala told me that my legs were not strong enough to walk and required further strengthening. She believed we needed to do pool therapy also, where I would be doing various exercises in the pool including swimming. Hala would stand by the pool and monitor my workout.

By coming for physiotherapy to my house Hala and I became very good friends. We used to go for lunch, meet at parties and I would call her at my birthday party as well as at dance balls at Sindh Club. I remember at a birthday party at the club, I made a speech in which I thanked Hala for her tremendous help and effort.

It indeed was one of the most enjoyable and memorable time for me when I used to be with Hala.. She would always used to take special care of me when we used to go for lunch or at a late night dance party at the club. Hala was extremely popular at the gym in Sindh Club and had a lot of friends outside the club.

I used to go to the gym after having physiotherapy in the morning and it was quite tiring. I would say that while doing my exercises with Hala my fitness was at an all time high. My body would be in perfect shape which would really have a positive impact on me and make me very motivated.

Being with Hala always used to make me very happy and I will admit having a crush on her. She told me that she would be leaving for the States along with her parents. It indeed was sad to see her leave, although she did leave me a physiotherapist who was obviously not good as her.

The Club also had a farewell dinner for her where I was invited also. It was very enjoyable and a few of my gym friends were also there. Hala had promised to do meditation with me and a couple of days before leaving she did that with me. It was so relaxing and I really enjoyed it.

I had promised to take her for lunch before she left which we went after meditation. I had also got to know one of Hala’s very close friends known as Faroukh, who went to become a very good friend of mine once Hala had left. The time I spent with Hala was definitely one of the highlights in my life so far.

My talk at Deaf Reach School to Beacon House Students

The afternoon of 23rd December saw me deliver my second lecture of the day to Beacon House students at Deaf Reach School. The school is owned and run by (FESF) Family Educational Services Foundation. My talk being a part of the Move seminar conducted by FESF.

I have been regularly visiting the Deaf Reach School and have given motivational talks before. On that day the room was overflowing with Beacon House students and there was plenty of noise. There must have been around 40 to 50 students in that room.

On seeing the number of students did not make me uneasy as I had become accustomed to giving talks to bigger audiences in the past. I was introduced by Mary Riek the President of FESF, who has known me for several years and we have worked together on many occasions. Mary has become a very close friend of mine.

On beginning my lecture I could see that all the noise had died down and there was pin drop silence in the room. All the students were attentive and had their eyes on me. My topic was the same as my first lecture which was "Overcoming Obstacles".

Making the talk more interactive provided the students in being more involved and interested in the lecture. Having two lectures in a day was taking it's toll, as I was feeling tired during the middle of my talk. Taking a break for 2 to 3 minutes and having a glass of water helped me overcome by tiredness.

My lecture was followed by very interesting question and answer session. The questions asked by the students confirmed their concentration and attention on the talk. Delivering talks to such students is always a pleasure and I feel like my goal has been achieved.

So 23rd of December 2009 had come to an end and I could say that both my lectures had been successful and my message had been delivered. It definitely was a significant day for me and it felt like I had achieved something.

My talk at Deaf Reach School to Beacon House Students

The afternoon of 23rd December saw me deliver my second lecture of the day to Beacon House students at Deaf Reach School. The school is owned and run by (FESF) Family Educational Services Foundation. My talk being a part of the Move seminar conducted by FESF.

I have been regularly visiting the Deaf Reach School and have given motivational talks before. On that day the room was overflowing with Beacon House students and there was plenty of noise. There must have been around 40 to 50 students in that room.

On seeing the number of students did not make me uneasy as I had become accustomed to giving talks to bigger audiences in the past. I was introduced by Mary Riek the President of FESF, who has known me for several years and we have worked together on many occasions. Mary has become a very close friend of mine.

On beginning my lecture I could see that all the noise had died down and there was pin drop silence in the room. All the students were attentive and had their eyes on me. My topic was the same as my first lecture which was "Overcoming Obstacles".

Making the talk more interactive provided the students in being more involved and interested in the lecture. Having two lectures in a day was taking it's toll, as I was feeling tired during the middle of my talk. Taking a break for 2 to 3 minutes and having a glass of water helped me overcome by tiredness.

My lecture was followed by very interesting question and answer session. The questions asked by the students confirmed their concentration and attention on the talk. Delivering talks to such students is always a pleasure and I feel like my goal has been achieved.

So 23rd of December 2009 had come to an end and I could say that both my lectures had been successful and my message had been delivered. It definitely was a significant day for me and it felt like I had achieved something.

My talk at Deaf Reach School to Beacon House Students

The afternoon of 23rd December saw me deliver my second lecture of the day to Beacon House students at Deaf Reach School. The school is owned and run by (FESF) Family Educational Services Foundation. My talk being a part of the Move seminar conducted by FESF.

I have been regularly visiting the Deaf Reach School and have given motivational talks before. On that day the room was overflowing with Beacon House students and there was plenty of noise. There must have been around 40 to 50 students in that room.

On seeing the number of students did not make me uneasy as I had become accustomed to giving talks to bigger audiences in the past. I was introduced by Mary Riek the President of FESF, who has known me for several years and we have worked together on many occasions. Mary has become a very close friend of mine.

On beginning my lecture I could see that all the noise had died down and there was pin drop silence in the room. All the students were attentive and had their eyes on me. My topic was the same as my first lecture which was "Overcoming Obstacles".

Making the talk more interactive provided the students in being more involved and interested in the lecture. Having two lectures in a day was taking it's toll, as I was feeling tired during the middle of my talk. Taking a break for 2 to 3 minutes and having a glass of water helped me overcome by tiredness.

My lecture was followed by very interesting question and answer session. The questions asked by the students confirmed their concentration and attention on the talk. Delivering talks to such students is always a pleasure and I feel like my goal has been achieved.

So 23rd of December 2009 had come to an end and I could say that both my lectures had been successful and my message had been delivered. It definitely was a significant day for me and it felt like I had achieved something.

My talk at Froebel Education Centre

23rd of December 2009 was a big day for me, as I had 2 lectures scheduled one in the morning and one in the afternoon. My talks were part of the Move seminar which was organised by Family Educational Services Foundation. I will talk about my lecture in the morning to Froebel education centre.

Froebel School is located in Defence Phase 8 and there are a number of schools located in that area. This was my first visit to the school and it had 2 seperate buildings for the junior and the senior branch. My lecture was at the senior branch and I was very impressed by the cleanliness of the school.

There were a few steps to the entrance in which I found no discomfort. I was recieved by the teacher of the students whom I was going to talk to. There was a group of 20 students from class 9 and 10 whom I was going to give my talk to. My topic was the same one I spoke in the Move seminar on 'Overcoming Obstacles'.

Before beginning my lecture I saw that a number of students came up to shake my hand which was a nice and friendly gesture. During my talk I found the students to be very interested and attentive in what I was saying which enabled me to be more interactive.

Their interest in my lecture was evident by their asking me a number of challenging questions. One boy for instance asked me 3 questions in a row which was very inspiring for me. I always enjoying giving a lecture to such a group of motivated students. They also took a group photograph with me in the end.

The principal of the school also met me at the end of my session. I felt really special as the principal told me that your coming in a wheelchair to give a lecture is truly inspirational for the students. The teacher of the students who was present during my talk told me that the students were really touched by my lecture. It was a memorable experience for me.