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We can survive by ourselves
DUBAI — Meet Alex Papanikolaou, a ‘success coach’ who has travelled solo to more than 85 cities around 25 countries on his motorised wheelchair.
“I love travelling and I don’t let my disability get in way of my dreams. Initially, my parents were skeptical of my travel plans but I was on a mission to prove to the world that people like me can survive by themselves.”
Alex suffers from Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, a disability that affects body movement. Limiting his speech and movement, the disorder adds a great deal of complexity to his daily life.
“As a child growing up with cerebral palsy, all I ever got told was my limits,” he says.
“Alex you can’t be like everyone else, you have a disability.”
“You can’t go out, it’s not safe.”
“You have a walking problem.”
“You have a speech problem.”
Over time the discomfort and pain of not being able to do what he wanted grew manifold. “I started walking, and walking and walking until it hurt, and then some more. The important thing is I refused to accept the limitations people were trying to set on me. That I couldn’t do something. And what you find is that as soon as you actually believe you can do something, it becomes so much more easier and realistic to achieve.”
Far from wallowing in self-pity, Alex reminds you, “Always find a way to solve your problems. Nothing is impossible. If I can travel to so many places, there are other kids like me who can do the same as well.
“All they need is a bit of motivation.”
His passion to help people not just with physical disabilities but also those with mental challenges has motivated him to set up a blog — www.getuplive.blogspot.com — dedicated to helping people with disabilities.
Alex says of his blog: “I have designed specific programmes and strategies for people with disabilities. They have come from being immersed in the very best in the world, from studying change and success psychology for over four years to completing Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner courses.”
Having travelled to New York, Hong Kong, Sydney, Berlin, London, Tokyo and many other places, Alex is currently in Dubai looking for support from local authorities to help him build a life coaching company for people with self limiting disabilities.
“I want the local authorities to assist me in building facilities by establishing a dedicated life-coaching center,” says Alex.
At 21, Alex boasts a long list of achievements to his credit as he says, “In the past two years I have travelled by myself to over 25 countries with my power wheelchair and my backpack, I have jumped out of an airplane at 14,000 feet; I have broken wood with my bare hands and I have also comfortably walked over 2000 degree fire with bare feet.”
He adds, “There is nothing you can’t do. It is just the mindset that needs to change. People look down upon kids with disability with sympathy and gratitude, as more often than not, they offer their help when it is not needed.”
Immersing himself in change psychology, Alex is also a professional photographer and runs a photography website — www.alexapc.com — dedicated to selling his works.
Alex talks about his dreams as he smilingly adds, “I want to meet the Shaikh and tell him about my plans to set up a life coaching company in Dubai for kids with disability.”
With a mechanical failure in his motorised wheelchair, Alex is now forced to walk, as he finds it increasingly difficult to raise funds needed to buy a new motorised wheelchair.
“It is difficult for me to walk and move from one place to another without my wheelchair. My old wheelchair broke down when I landed at the Sharjah International Airport and now I need to get a new one.”
Costing around $10,000 (Dh36,700), the advanced wheelchair offers a great support for Alex as he seeks the support of local Samaritans to help him buy a new one.
What is Athenoid Cerebral Palsy
ATHETOID cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the cerebellum or basal ganglia. These areas of the brain are responsible for processing the signals that enable smooth, coordinated movements as well as help maintain body posture.
Damage to these areas may cause a child to develop involuntary, purposeless movements, especially in the face, arms, and trunk. These involuntary movements often interfere with speaking, feeding, reaching, grasping, and other skills required for coordinated movements.
Nisha Nanwani, a local Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner and life coach says, “Kids suffering from cerebral palsy require a lot of motivation and help in their daily lives. Without support from family members and doctors, the kids easily lose hope, even when it comes to small things like tying a shoe lace or holding a glass of water.”
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