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AGAINST ALL ODDS

"Que sera, sera (Whatever will be, will be), the future's not ours to see". Bearing this motto in mind, we should go on with our lives with a sincere and serene belief that all tragedies and obstacles, which befall us, are our destiny.

We cannot change them or run away from them, no matter how immense or disastrous they might be. Strong believers are apt to overcome with noble solidarity and patience their misfortunes. This is attained by being at peace and content with their status quo and at the same time improving their stances by challenge, determination, enthusiasm and optimism.

Yasser Moofeed Mansoor is a personified image of this motto. He struggled through life and defied all hindrances to realize his goal. The young man on the wheel chair is a living example for the handicapped to apprehend that "they can achieve the impossible". The miracle is in his strong inner belief and determination, which most healthy people lack.

Most people dismay quickly when confronted with impediments or catastrophes. They merely give in and are victims of isolation, consternation or nervous breakdown and depression. Ultimately, they become social misfits.

HIS DESTINY:

Our hero is a different type, who dauntlessly braved his tragic circumstances. His tragedy goes back to early 1996, when he and his family (4 individuals) came to U.A.E. from Naples. He was then a 14-year old teenager. They settled in Al Ain and became acquainted with their neighbours. Shortly, Yasser joined high school and found in the various nationalities of his comrades the sanctuary and solace he longed for upon deserting his homeland.

The amicability and affability of his family gained them a golden place in the hearts of the people in the vicinity.

The turning point in Yasser's life occurred, when he was returning home from school with his friends, after completion of the last high school exam, which was in geology. They were all frolicsome and one of them in a frenzy of frivolity strongly pushed Yasser, who fell on the floor and broke his upper thigh.

THE TEDIOUS JOURNEY:

No one could have imagined or predicted that this unfortunate mishap was the painful beginning of a long, traumatic journey with doctors, clinics and hospitals alternately from Al Ain, to Dubai and finally to Jordan, he travelled seeking medication, but in vain. The stressful journey ended on a wheel chair, on which he strived through life.

Yasser retrieves the hard times and asserts that it never occurred to him that negligence and disinterest were capable of so much agony and frustration. His faith in God and content with his fate saved him from falling into misery and depression.

At first, his muscles weakened. Then his body declined due to the 6-month complete rest in bed at the hospital. His consequent deterioration was also due to the sundry operations, which he underwent from the age of 14 till he was 18. His family resolved to take him to Jordan in a desperate attempt to save him from further relapse.

During those 4 years, however, he joined the university in Ajman and studied electronic engineering. He took this daring decision after spending a whole year obsessed with woe and wretchedness. However, he recollected his inner strength and waived away his pessimistic attitude.

He decided it was time to become disenchanted and familiar with the university campus and colleagues. Soon, he succeeded in adapting to the new environment and engrossed himself in his studies with great zeal. Nevertheless, he could not pursue his electronic engineering because it required much effort from a healthy person, let alone handicapped, especially in physics and chemistry, which were vital in this line of study. Moreover, laboratory lectures were indispensable; something he was not up to because of his current condition, despite the incessant assistance extended to him from the university administration, staff and students.

The decision to change his career was inevitable. Therefore, he reluctantly chose business administration, turning down his father's proposal for information studies. In retrospection, he admits he was not quite at ease with this choice, but later it proved to be most prudent and appropriate.

"LIGHTS & SHADOWS BULLETIN": THE CHILD OF ANGUISH

Tolerance and anguish enticed him to exert relentless efforts to prove that his disability presented no physical or mental barrier. Perseverance was his magic means. He issued a weekly university bulletin Lights And Shadows, of which he published 23 editions. It started with one page and reached 6 pages dealing with Al Intifada (Uprising) and university news. It also depicted the pulse of contemporary students. Yasser was at the same time editor, publisher and designer of the bulletin, which later gained fame amongst university students at that time.

AJMAN UNIVERSITY: A DISTINGUISHED EDUCATIONAL EDIFICE

Now a very prominent and prosperous businessman, who owns a publishing and printing company, Yasser cites that gratitude and appreciation are justly due to Ajman University for the extra attention and facilities extended to him during his years of study. It gave him the necessary boost and zeal, which greatly assisted him in obtaining his B.Sc. in Business Administration with a very good grade. He learnt to be self-dependent and enhance his abilities.

ESTABLISHING A COMPANY:

In 2002, while still at the university, he realised the need of establishing an office for printing and publishing services as a means of thriving in life. He started with a humble capital of Dhs15, 000 that later reached more than five times this figure. His business flourished and he is presently supporting his family, out of duty and gratitude. He recollects the time when people's sympathy used to hurt his feelings and push him into isolation and self-pity. On the other hand, their love, caring and understanding made him feel safe and secure. It also mitigated the complications of life and instigated him to rely upon himself and gain self-esteem.

AMBITIONS & ASPIRATIONS:

Yasser still has high ambitions and aspirations, which he aims to achieve. He longs to pay back his family and all those who supported him in his long and tedious task. He intends to marry in the near future, particularly after obtaining a driving license, which will enable him to move more freely. He concludes that what befell him would never have missed him and what missed him would never have befallen him, quoting from the Holy Quran.