Dear friends,
My expectations in life were reduced to zero, the day I decided to undergo tracheotomy for continuous mechanical ventilation, without which I couldn’t spare life’s end. Every day since that moment seems like a new birth in life for me.
Today, it’s my second birthday, and I’d like to share with you the experience I had during these two years. I could put end to my life, but it would be a big mistake. Life is beautiful even with so dark conditions. There is always something to do and succeed in it; and I haven’t done badly.
In the first year, I’ve wrote two books: Ma vie, mon histoire and Conseils pratiques pour la santé des enfants. In the second year, I’ve signed them via Skype, from my bed and because of my physical conditions, during the French book exhibition of Beirut at the end of October 2012…
From the bed he lays in, unable to move or talk, his eyes say it all. Although I don’t personally know him, however his story is so touching that I have to share it with you. With a will power so strong, and a commitment to life, his mission is to share with us an experience, so different, so humbling and so inspiring. This amazing person is Dr Jamil Zogheib, a very famous Pediatrician who graduated as Medicine Doctor in 1986, and Paediatrician in 1992. He started practicing in 1992. He built his success through his competence in his practice treating children. He also contributed to the development of two, Neonatal Intensive Units (NICU) in Lebanon.
Source: google Dr Jamil Zogheib a “Flying Soul”
Dr. Zogheib was diagnosed with ALS in 2008 that left him completely confined, unable to move a muscle except his eyes. His determination, and love for life, since his diagnosis, hasn’t stopped him from constantly teaching, inspiring, and motivating people, or from even continuing his practice and following up with his patients through his Facebook page, ensuring his loyal followers get his free professional advice and support. BBC interview with Dr Jamil:
source: google Dr Jamil Zogheib Live Lecturing
His rock is his beautiful wife whom he calls his guardian angel, and his 3 children, who are his pride and joy.
Dr Jamil Zogheib and his wife
This piece is a tribute to the amazing person he is, whose will to live and share his experience with us, is beyond what we can imagine. It is true, Dr Jamil Zogheib has been confined; yet, his willpower and his beautiful soul have been traveling far beyond, delivering great expressions, and powerful words written through his eyes, using Tobbi’s Eye Tracker, where he has published 9 books so far, “My Life, My Story”, “ Tips for children Health”, “Memories of a Paralysed”, “Living in Silence and Immobility” to mention some, and conducted seminars worldwide through Skype, and he has also initiated an ALS group in Lebanon to help raise awareness and action to this disease.
Dr Jamil Zogheib Children Health Tips book
Dr Jamil Zogheib published books
He recently requested that his story be told in a documentary ” Jamil a Flying Soul” which was instigated and produced with the support of Mrs Karen Bustany, who according to his words, has made his wish come true, the documentary was produced by the talented Mr. Habr and Mrs. Khoury, the screening was held in NDU (Notre dame university in Lebanon) on 19th December 2014, with the objective of spreading it internationally.
Dr Jamil Zogheib story is beyond phenomenal, it is about celebrating life and overcoming pain and disease, it is about empowerment and love, it is about humanity and spirituality, it is about being a free soul no matter how confined one is, and how malignant a disease can be, it is the story of a hero who is writing “humanity” in a whole new way, overcoming all odds, and in the true essence of the saying, “The eyes are the window to the soul”.
Soul of a Gypsy......Welcome to my Journey 