Ahmed Mehaya, Operations Manager at Proxy Medical Trading, reflects on his journey returning to work after an acquired disability and the inclusive support in the UAE at Aurora50’s Inclusive Workplaces Summit.
Ahmed Mehaya knows what it means to face adversity. The operations manager at Proxy Medical Trading has experienced a series of life-altering motorcycle accidents that forced him to rebuild his life multiple times.
Reflecting on his journey at the summit, Mr Mehaya, who lives with limited arm mobility and a prosthetic leg, shared how his resilience and zest for life have driven him to excel not only in his career but also in sports in the UAE.
“In 2008, I broke my elbow in my first accident, limiting my arm’s mobility to 110 degrees,” he said.
“In 2015, another motorcycle accident cost me my leg.”
The injuries left him with a titanium rod in place of his femur, 24 screws in his arm and two screws in his knee. Shortly after the second accident, tragedy struck again with the passing of his wife.
Determined to move forward, Mr Mehaya relocated from the US to the Emirates in 2016.
“I’ve held four jobs since then, including roles at a media company and a courier firm. My current job requires me to drive 7,000-10,000 km monthly across the UAE, delivering nerve monitoring devices and orthopaedic implants to hospitals.”
At work, Mr Mehaya said he has always experienced support from colleagues and management.
“It’s not easy wearing pants with a prosthetic leg in the UAE’s heat,” he admitted.
“I have to remove my prosthetic leg, clean it and dry it. People are understanding about the time it takes.
However, there are days when chronic pain makes it difficult to work.
“On those days, I work from home,” he said.
“Otherwise, I have no issues and find the UAE to provide an accommodating environment for people of determination. I definitely want to live here for the rest of my life.”
But he added that more companies can do more to create inclusive environments for POD.
“There are some companies that continue to lack proper facilities like handicapped bathrooms, ramps or elevators,” he pointed out.
“This should be a requirement before opening any business.”
Mr Mehaya spoke about how staying active has been a source of solace for him.
“I play padel as part of the Inclusive Padel Tour, and I also compete internationally,” he said.
He explained that sports help keep negativity at bay, allowing him to maintain a positive outlook on life.
“I can focus on the things I’m good at while staying active and engaged,” he added.
In conclusion, Mr Mehaya offered a simple piece of advice to employers: “Prioritise accessibility. Even if you don’t have employees of determination today, someone else might rely on those facilities in the future.”
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