Malek
Mohammad, an 18-year-old double amputee of Kabul, Afghanistan, has already
overcome so many challenges in his young life, some might be tempted to think
he requires no assistance whatsoever.
Landmines
took his legs at age 11 as he was walking through a field near Kabul's airport.
But
adversity has made him wise beyond his years, and Malek knows better. His
struggle has been a lonely one.
It was
while he was in the hospital that an American visitor noticed Malek and paid
for him to go the United States and get prosthetic limbs made.
During
his two years recovering there, Malek was encouraged to participate in sports
and he learned English. Then he returned to his family in Afghanistan.
Malek's
younger brother, Samandar, beams with pride as he watches his brother swim the
length of the pool.
"He
didn't lose his courage and power. He is very strong, and I am sure that he can
take part in any competition. I am sure he will be successful and then the
whole world can be proud of him", Samandar said.
At the
pool, Malek shows us how athletics turned his life around, using his arms to
lift his body off the tiles and then dive into the pool.
Malek don't
have any coach or any trainer to teach him how to swim, how to prepare for the
games, so he’s doing by himself, because he love swimming.
"I
need support, I need help because I'm representing Afghanistan -- especially
disabled people," says Malek, who more than anything, wants to swim for
his country at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
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