Rafiq ibn Jubair
Naveed Iqbal is from Pakistan and has been living in Saudi Arabia for the last 28 years.
In 2008, he was involved in a tragic car accident whilst in his friends car in Jeddah. The car flipped 5-6 times. Thankfully he survived but he was left with life changing injuries.
His lungs collapsed and he was put into intensive care. After a month on a ventilator, Naveed returned to consciousness but he was unable to talk for around 8 months due to having a windpipe installed in his neck to help him breathe.
Naveed was diagnosed with quadriplegia, a form of paralysis which occurs below the neck. He injured some of his spinal cord and had a fracture on his right pelvis bone. Both of his hands, neck and arms were no longer functioning.
Now, Naveed can move his hands but he struggles to move his fingers. He can only move his right hand thumb manoeuvred slightly and he has sadly lost his sensation from the neck-down.
“After my family, the people of this country are the kindest people I’ve ever experienced in these 10 years. They not only help me to pick me from my wheelchair when boarding a car (they even kiss my forehead & give me prayers.” says Naveed.
Despite the tests, Naveed has not allowed his paralysis to stop him from achieving his life goals. He has learned web designing and painstakingly designs websites for Fitheme with his limited mobility using just his thumbs.
Recently he developed an app for pilgrims and locals called Mecca Guide, physically visiting each location to add them himself. The android app can be downloaded here and he is now working on an iOS version.
Naveed’s strength and determination should be a source of motivation for us all.
