In 2021, Neuro-Urology Surgeon Dr. Mo Belal's life changed forever when he was hit by a fallen tree in Berkswell, England. Upon waking, Dr. Mo immediately realised he couldn't move his legs and would never walk again. The accident had caused irreparable spinal damage, resulting in an incomplete spinal cord injury at the T4 level, leaving him paralysed from the waist down.
Following multiple spinal operations and over eight months of hospitalisation with limited visits from family due to Covid-19, Dr. Mo began his long journey of rehabilitation, hoping to one day return to work as a surgeon. After two years and over 1,000 hours of intense rehabilitation, Dr. Mo was able to achieve his goal.
"The fact that I can come back to surgery shows that there are not many jobs that can’t be achieved in a wheelchair."
Dr. Mo feels extremely lucky to be able to return to work following such a life-altering incident. He believes his experience is proof that if he can overcome such challenges, others can too, and that hope, and positivity plays the biggest role in moving forward. He states that he has become a better doctor as a result of the accident, as he now understands his patients and what they go through on a much deeper level.
To support Dr. Mo in realising his dream of returning to his job, the University of Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust provided him with a specially customised Permobil F5 Corpus VS power standing chair. This chair enabled Dr. Mo to get back on his feet, literally, and operate as he used to.
“My F5 Corpus VS power standing chair supports me to stand and lean forward, allowing me to continue doing the job I love so much,” says Dr. Mo, father-of-three.
The highly customisable power standing wheelchair has been fundamental in Dr. Mo’s return to surgery, as it allows him to stand and perform complex surgical procedures with precision and confidence. The chair’s advanced features, such as its ability to support standing and leaning forward, have enabled Dr. Mo to maintain his surgical skills and continue contributing to the medical field despite his physical limitations.
