Emirati Teen With Disability Inspires Crowd With His Speech
Born with a motor disability, Mayed's journey to graduation was far from easy. But when he confidently addressed the crowd, he spoke with the voice of someone who had weathered the hardest storms.
"This moment didn't come easy. It came with hardships, tears of patience, and the constant prayers of my mom and dad, who supported me every step of the way," Mayed said in his heartfelt message titled "My Message."
His father, Sultan Al Aray Al-Teneiji, stood proudly in the audience, visibly moved.
"It was a feeling that can't be described," he said. "For us, this was not just a ceremony — it was a victory."
A Message of Strength and Determination
Mayed's voice resonated with strength as he shared:
"Yes, my body may be weak but my will, my abilities, and my spirit are stronger. I've learned that 'hard' doesn't mean 'impossible,' and in the end, the reward is worth every struggle."
He continued with a powerful reminder:
"Don't lose hope. The road is tough, but the destination is beautiful. And to my friends, don't look at people of determination as different. We are just like you, maybe even stronger."
A Family's Daily Battle
Behind this moment stood years of full-time care. From physical therapy to medical home visits, Sultan described how Mayed's condition meant a lifetime of around-the-clock support.
"We made sure there were regular visits from medical professionals to stimulate his circulation and strengthen his body, as he doesn't walk," Sultan said.
And yet, the perseverance didn't stop with Mayed — his younger brother, Abdullah, was diagnosed with the same condition. Sultan now looks ahead to Abdullah's own graduation in two years.
Support From School and Society
Sultan praised the compassion shown by the school staff, saying they eased many daily difficulties.
"Sitting for long hours is physically painful, especially after surgeries on their spines. But the school adapted, letting them leave early or arrive later when needed," he explained.
The support system extended beyond the school. Sultan noted the importance of government backing and community encouragement that helped make Mayed's milestone possible.
Looking Ahead
Mayed has his sights set on university, though the family acknowledges the upcoming challenges.
"University won't be easy. He'll need a companion with him. That's why we're considering remote learning," Sultan said. "But whatever comes next, I know he will face it with the same courage."
From a small classroom in Ras Al Khaimah, Mayed's voice has now reached hearts far beyond — a reminder that true strength doesn't come from the body, but from the will to rise again, no matter how many times life knocks you down.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Abu Dhabi expat survives cancer, opens green juicery to make ends meet
Ben Smith, a 27-year-old Abu Dhabi resident who grew up in the city, was just 22 when his life was interrupted when doctors diagnosed him with cancer in his appendix, shortly after graduating from university. 'It was the start of my life, really,' he said. 'All my friends were getting jobs, and I was thrown into the hospital.' Over more than a year, Ben underwent treatments, surgeries, and long periods of waiting both in the UAE and the UK. He came out of the experience with no job, no clear plan, not much energy, but a new sense of clarity. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. 'When you get cancer, nothing else matters. It puts you face-to-face with what's important, your health, your peace, your community.' With little energy and no clear career path, Ben turned to a skill he had picked up during university while working part-time at Joe & The Juice. He began making juice at home for friends. What started as a casual idea slowly grew into Pink and Greens, a health-conscious juicery that now operates with a strong environmental ethos and nearly zero packaging waste. 'I'm not a businessman,' Ben said. 'I'm more of a family man. I love the environment. I hate plastic. That's just me.' The shop, located at an ADNOC station in Abu Dhabi, has developed organically with the help of a close-knit community. At the core of Ben's business is the Earth Club, a glass bottle return system that encourages customers to bring back used bottles in exchange for a week's worth of free coffee. 'It's become a system that people actually follow,' he said. 'We've created a small loop of reuse, and it works.' Challenges Still, running an eco-conscious store comes with challenges. Paper cups, for example, don't show the colours or layers of the drinks, a key part of the visual appeal. The team is now transitioning to biodegradable cornstarch cups that look like plastic but break down naturally. 'We have to be careful that people don't misunderstand the material,' he said. 'It looks like plastic, but it's made from plants, and it goes back to the earth.' Another challenge is managing the daily pulp generated from juicing fruits and vegetables. While Ben used to compost and deliver the pulp to local farms, he's now actively pursuing new ways to put it to use. 'I don't want it to go to waste,' he said. 'There's real potential in this pulp, and we're looking at how to make sure it stays a part of a sustainable cycle.' 'Everything felt more urgent' Beyond juices, Ben has a wider goal in mind: reviving marine life in the UAE. In collaboration with a government-led initiative, Pink and Greens is planning to launch a bottled water line, where part of each purchase funds the planting of coral reef tiles made from 3D-printed terracotta. These tiles are placed on the seabed to support coral regeneration. 'When someone drinks water from us, they're also helping restore ocean life,' Ben said. 'That's the point, every product has a purpose. We're not just selling drinks. We're trying to make choices that give something back.' Asked whether his interest in sustainability existed before his diagnosis, 'I always respected it. But after cancer, everything felt more urgent,' he said. 'It made me realise this is where I want my life to go, something that makes a real difference.'
UAE Moments
11 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Emirati Teen With Disability Inspires Crowd With His Speech
In a moment that left no dry eye in the room, 17-year-old Mayed Al-Teneiji, a high school graduate from Shamal Secondary School in Ras Al Khaimah, took center stage — not just to receive his certificate, but to deliver an unforgettable speech that echoed resilience, love, and hope. Born with a motor disability, Mayed's journey to graduation was far from easy. But when he confidently addressed the crowd, he spoke with the voice of someone who had weathered the hardest storms. "This moment didn't come easy. It came with hardships, tears of patience, and the constant prayers of my mom and dad, who supported me every step of the way," Mayed said in his heartfelt message titled "My Message." His father, Sultan Al Aray Al-Teneiji, stood proudly in the audience, visibly moved. "It was a feeling that can't be described," he said. "For us, this was not just a ceremony — it was a victory." A Message of Strength and Determination Mayed's voice resonated with strength as he shared: "Yes, my body may be weak but my will, my abilities, and my spirit are stronger. I've learned that 'hard' doesn't mean 'impossible,' and in the end, the reward is worth every struggle." He continued with a powerful reminder: "Don't lose hope. The road is tough, but the destination is beautiful. And to my friends, don't look at people of determination as different. We are just like you, maybe even stronger." A Family's Daily Battle Behind this moment stood years of full-time care. From physical therapy to medical home visits, Sultan described how Mayed's condition meant a lifetime of around-the-clock support. "We made sure there were regular visits from medical professionals to stimulate his circulation and strengthen his body, as he doesn't walk," Sultan said. And yet, the perseverance didn't stop with Mayed — his younger brother, Abdullah, was diagnosed with the same condition. Sultan now looks ahead to Abdullah's own graduation in two years. Support From School and Society Sultan praised the compassion shown by the school staff, saying they eased many daily difficulties. "Sitting for long hours is physically painful, especially after surgeries on their spines. But the school adapted, letting them leave early or arrive later when needed," he explained. The support system extended beyond the school. Sultan noted the importance of government backing and community encouragement that helped make Mayed's milestone possible. Looking Ahead Mayed has his sights set on university, though the family acknowledges the upcoming challenges. "University won't be easy. He'll need a companion with him. That's why we're considering remote learning," Sultan said. "But whatever comes next, I know he will face it with the same courage." From a small classroom in Ras Al Khaimah, Mayed's voice has now reached hearts far beyond — a reminder that true strength doesn't come from the body, but from the will to rise again, no matter how many times life knocks you down.
Khaleej Times
17 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: 2 Uganda mosques to honour Indian doctor who died in RAK plane crash
A heartfelt tribute to a young UK-based Indian doctor who died in a light aircraft crash in Ras Al Khaimah has taken shape in the form of two mosques being built in Uganda instead of one initially planned. Dr Sulaymaan Al Majid, 26, a clinical fellow at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, was visiting the UAE to meet his family when he tragically lost his life in a sightseeing flight on December 26, 2024. The aircraft, piloted by Pakistani captain Frinza, crashed off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah, killing both her and Dr Sulaymaan. In the months since, friends and colleagues in the UK launched a charity campaign in his memory, raising funds through One Nation, a UK-based humanitarian organisation. What began as a modest effort to fund a single mosque quickly grew into a campaign that raised enough to build two mosques in Uganda. Posters with QR codes and tributes to Dr Sulaymaan were put up in mosques across the UK, calling on worshippers to honour his legacy through 'Sadaqah Jariyah' — a form of charity that continues to benefit others long after a person has passed. 'In loving memory of Dr Sulaymaan Al Majid,' read the posters, describing him as a 'beloved brother, doctor, and student leader whose impact lives on.' During his time at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), where he served as president of the School of Medicine, Sulaymaan left an indelible mark. He helped establish regular Friday prayers on campus, championed junior doctors' pay and wellbeing, and was an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights. His father, Majid Mukarram, told Khaleej Times the family has been deeply moved by the outpouring of support. 'We are amazed how the students rallied behind this cause. The funds raised have made it possible to build two mosques now, instead of one, in Uganda,' he said. 'Expected construction completion is before Hajj next year.' He added: 'On behalf of our family, we thank Dr Sulaymaan's colleagues and friends who initiated this project. This is an ongoing charity that will benefit generations to come.' Dr Sulaymaan was born and raised in the UAE and was the eldest of three brothers. A prominent voice in medical advocacy, he served as honorary secretary and later co-chair of the Northern Resident Doctors Committee of the British Medical Association (BMA). He played a pivotal role in pushing for the term 'junior doctors' to be replaced with 'resident doctors' and championed fairer treatment and recognition for NHS trainees. He also helped organise picket lines, represented resident doctors at key national forums, and contributed to policy discussions at the BMA's National Resident Doctors Conference and annual general meetings. Passionate about education, he served as Teaching Lead at the North East Foundation Trainees Surgical Society, mentoring aspiring surgeons.
