Telling your life story is a bit like trying to fit a wheelchair into an elevator that’s too small: you need a plan, a bit of humor, and sometimes you just have to accept taking the stairs.
By Ryad Besseghir
I see myself first as someone with big dreams. I was born prematurely and have cerebral palsy. I depend a lot on others physically and my way of speaking is different, but my mind is “very fast.”
I have had several major surgeries and long periods of rehabilitation. They could have broken my spirit, but instead they helped build it. I do not want pity. I want people to understand me and really listen.
Family roots and an open view of the world
I grew up in a loving family with my parents and two sisters. Shared moments and trips shaped my childhood. Even though communication can be difficult, I naturally start conversations, and that has helped me avoid feeling isolated.
My close circle is demanding and protective, and they push me to move forward. My sisters, one working in law and the other in medicine, are role models for me. I could not go to university, so I became a dedicated self‑taught learner. I use YouTube and social media to teach myself digital communication.
From institutions to making my own choices
The care institutions where I lived were both a “cocoon” and a “straitjacket.” They helped me become more independent, but they also treated me like a child and often made decisions for me.
At 23, I felt a strong gap between how mature I felt and how others saw me. I was treated as someone to be “taken care of,” not as an adult who can decide for himself. Some of my projects were blocked in the name of “functional autonomy,” as if only what I could do with my body mattered. I had to insist that physical weakness does not erase my will or my wishes.
I decided to leave group housing and move into an inclusive apartment. I now live in my own studio in Strasbourg with support services. This step toward independence is a personal victory. For my parents, especially my mother, it felt like stepping into the unknown.
Mental strength in difficult times
My journey toward independence has also included depression. It was triggered partly by a romantic disappointment, where my disability was used as a reason not to be with me, and partly by a day center whose activities were far below my abilities.
I came back from that period through determination and by setting new goals. Today, I create content on TikTok. I talk about disability and explain things like spasticity in simple words, to help change how people see disability.
Life goals: Film, support, and humor
I imagine my future in action and in sharing experiences.
Cinema: I dream of making a film that is half documentary and half comedy, in the style of “The Intouchables.” I want to show everyday life — for example, my heavy wheelchair dealing with obstacles in the city — with gentle self‑irony.
Peer Support: I want to start an organization that supports people with disabilities, especially after major surgeries. I believe that sharing real‑life experiences helps everyone move forward.
Humor: Humor helps me “survive the protocols” and turn difficulties into stories I can tell.
A Message to Society
I want people to notice the obstacles we face every day: blocked sidewalks, e‑scooters left anywhere, and public transport that is still often not accessible. I also call for more inclusive technology, especially AI that can better understand my way of speaking.
Most of all, I want to be the author of my own life. I do not want to be seen only as a “hero” or a “victim.” I am a complex, creative person fighting for freedom who, at times, celebrates his victories by honking his wheelchair in rhythm with the music.
Written by: Ryad Besseghir
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rymob__/
Country: France