Lebanese athlete Michael Haddad, who suffers from paralysis affecting 75 percent of his body, was able to make a 15-hour sea crossing from Lebanon to Cyprus, turning a high-risk journey into the starting point for a global initiative aimed at putting disability at the center of dialogue on conflicts and ways to address them.

Michael was involved in a jet ski accident when he was six years old, which left him paralyzed from the chest down. But despite his injury, he performs various tasks, such as walking short distances, participating in marathons, and climbing mountains, and holds the world record for walking, climbing, and snowshoeing in the harsh environments of Lebanon.

At dawn on April 26, Michael set off from the Lebanese coast after the announcement of a ceasefire, specifically from the ATCL in Jounieh, and arrived at the port of Larnaca at around seven in the evening on the same day.

Michael told Lebanon 24 that “despite his injury, he faced the challenges of the open sea for long hours, relying on advanced neuro-motor techniques that he developed over the years that enabled him to maintain stability and endurance throughout the journey.”

Haddad continued: “I wanted to prove through this challenge that nothing is impossible, and that it is strictly forbidden to use the sea as a means of siege. Rather, it is a bridge for everyone. In addition, I wanted to highlight that attention must be given to the issue of disability in all crises, not just in times of wars and conflicts.”

Haddad pointed out that “the goal of this trip went beyond physical achievement itself, as he sought through this initiative to challenge the prevailing narratives that reduce disability as a result of conflicts and to work to re-present it as a basic entry point for understanding the humanitarian impact of these conflicts, and to open new paths for dialogue, participation, and peacebuilding.”

Haddad stressed that “disability is not a marginal issue in times of conflict, but rather a gateway to understanding the human being and rebuilding dialogue.”

Haddad stressed that “this trip represents the beginning of a broader path, which carries the message that even in a context of division and instability, movement remains possible towards a deeper understanding and a more humane dialogue.”

Haddad added: “We need to develop the concept of disability in our society, and I call on all specialists, decision makers and universities to contribute to moving the file of people with special needs and disabilities from a marginal file to an important topic in our society.”
In conclusion, it must be noted that Haddad was chosen several times as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme.