Dubai: An Emirati customs officer, who lost his eyesight in a car accident 11 years ago, has become the UAE’s first blind person to skydive.
Hamed Mohammad Al Daheri, who hails from Al Ain, took his first jump from above 13,000 feet on October 15 to mark White Cane Safety Day, which celebrates the achievements of people who are blind and the white cane as a tool of independence.
Speaking to Gulf News, Al Daheri, 35, said his choice to skydive was aimed at showing that disability is never an obstacle between a person and his aspirations.
“As a blind person, I’ve noticed that many people with the same disability tend to limit themselves to certain hobbies, sports and activities, so I wanted to eliminate all these pressures and barriers that stand between us and our disability and do something that no one has attempted before,” said Al Daheri.
Describing his experience, Al Daheri, who was accompanied by an instructor from Skydive Dubai, said it was an experience he will never forget.
“When I first boarded the plane, I was a bit nervous, but then as soon as I jumped I felt free. It was a great experience and it allowed me to conquer all my fears in life,” he said.
Crowds of people cheered for Al Daheri as he soared through the sky and floated to the ground, he said. “I felt extremely motivated as I touched the ground and saw that everyone was excited for me. I also felt that the way people perceived me changed.”
He added that he is more than happy to dedicate the jump to the UAE and become the first blind person to attempt such an extreme sports activity.
“I also wanted to dedicate the jump to all people with determination [people with special needs], especially those who are blind. I think they should never say ‘I can’t’ or ‘its impossible.’ They shouldn’t put any barriers between them and their jobs or with anything they want to do. The government supports us in everyway here.”
Al Daheri, who works in Abu Dhabi Customs and is currently a law student at Al Ain university, lost his vision as a result of trauma to his eyes, following a car accident in Abu Dhabi at the age of 24.
“It was 11 years ago, in 2006, when I was driving and my car suddenly swerved and crashed. I lost vision in one of my eyes and then I lost my sight completely,” he recalled.
However, Al Daheri said he always has a positive attitude to life, that continues even after the accident.
“I didn’t allow this to affect my life any way, instead, I feel like it positively changed my life because 11 years ago, I would have never thought about taking up on such adventures or travelling over seven times a year to explore places,” he said.
As part of his daily routine, he said he loves to go for cycling, which he does with the help of friends.
Al Daheri, who gets a lot of encouragement from his parents, friends and siblings, says he is up for another extreme activity in Hawaii next month.
“I’m aiming to take another challenge from one of the highest jumping points, which will be 20,000 feet high. My role is to encourage all the blind people to overcome their fears and to believe in themselves and their capabilities,” he said.
