I've always been a driven individual, and today, I am sharing an untold story not many are aware of. From a young age, I aspired to serve my country, which led me to become a commissioned officer in the Pakistani military. My life was meticulously planned until a life-changing accident disrupted my career path in the military at age 21.
In 1987, a catastrophic accident in Kotli, Azad Kashmir, severely injured my spine at the L1-T12 vertebrae, abruptly ending my military career and shattering the world I knew. This event marked the beginning of my journey with disability and chronic pain. The experience of being evacuated by ambulance was terrifying, as my body was like a broken accordion, pulled and stretched over treacherous mountain roads. During this ordeal, I truly understood the meaning of "spineless" as excruciating pain became my constant companion.
I travelled to the UK for reconstructive surgeries, where the fight for survival replaced my previous battles. After multiple surgeries and rehabilitation, I faced another formidable opponent: Chronic Pain in my lower limbs, so intense that I often passed out from it during daily tasks. This relentless, agonising presence felt like knives jabbing into my thighs and knees, consuming my life. I was put on high doses of opioids to manage this pain.
Despite this, I advanced in my career, eventually becoming a CEO in Hong Kong, where I realised my pain was hindering my performance. The pain medication fog clouded my thoughts and slowed me down, prompting the need for change.
This insight was my turning point. I began a journey to reclaim my life, driven by a desire to break free from chronic pain. My research led me to understand the role of endorphins, our body's natural painkillers produced during exercise.
In the early 2000s, my transformation began as I committed myself to daily exercise and a healthy diet. The path to recovery was challenging, fraught with withdrawal symptoms and intense physical and emotional pain. Nevertheless, I persevered.
Gradually, the fog lifted. While the pain persisted, it no longer controlled my life. I learned to manage and maintain it through a slow, steady process that ultimately spelt victory for me.
The transformation was remarkable. I shed both physical and metaphorical weight as I established my own business in Hong Kong and entered the world of endurance sports. Pain no longer dictated my life; instead of being an obstacle, it became something I learned to balance. Though the pain sometimes flares, it no longer controls me—I control it.
Sports became not only an outlet but also a victory over my circumstances. I have competed in numerous triathlons and rowing competitions, even representing Hong Kong in single-scull rowing. I undertook endurance handbike rides, each over 2,500 km, and embraced adventures like deep-sea scuba diving and paragliding, each a testament to my reclaimed life. I now drive my dream car, unshackled by the pain that once confined me.
Sharing my story is important to inspire those battling chronic pain or disability. My story of struggle has become one of perseverance and triumph. My message is clear: pain does not have to define you. You can rewrite your narrative, face challenges, and emerge stronger.
May this story encourage others to face their trials with courage, reminding them that the human spirit is extraordinarily resilient.
忍受與慢性疼痛的終身友誼
我一直是一個有追求的人。從小我就希望能為我的國家服務，這使我成為巴基斯坦軍隊的委任軍官。我的生活一直是精心計劃的，直到21歲時，一場改變人生的事故打亂了我在軍中的職業道路。
1987年，在阿扎德克什米爾的科特里發生了一起災難性的事故，嚴重損傷了我L1-T12脊椎，這突如其來地結束了我的軍事生涯，徹底摧毀了我熟悉的世界。這一事件標誌著我與殘疾和慢性疼痛的旅程的開始。被救護車疏散的經歷非常可怕，我的身體就像一個破損的手風琴，被拉扯和擠壓在險峻的山路上。在這場磨難中，我真正明白了「無脊椎」的意義，因為撕心裂肺的疼痛成為了我不斷的伴侶。
我前往英國接受重建手術，在那裡，求生的鬥爭取代了我之前的戰鬥。經歷了多次手術和康復後，我面臨著另一個強大的對手：我下肢的慢性疼痛，強烈到我在日常工作中經常會暈過去。這種無情的、折磨人的痛苦感覺就像刀子不斷地刺進我的大腿和膝蓋，吞噬了我的生活。
儘管如此，我在職業生涯中取得了進展，最終成為了香港的一名首席執行官，在那裡我意識到我的疼痛妨礙了我的表現。疼痛的迷霧使我思緒混亂，行動緩慢，促使我意識到需要改變。
這一洞察成為了我的轉折點。我開始了一段重拾生活的旅程，懷著擺脫慢性疼痛的渴望。我的研究使我了解了內啡肽的作用，這是我們身體在運動過程中產生的天然止痛藥。
在2000年代初，我的變化開始了，因為我決心每天運動和保持健康飲食。康復之路充滿挑戰，伴隨著戒斷症狀和強烈的身體及情感痛苦。然而，我拒絕放棄。
漸漸地，迷霧開始消散。雖然疼痛依然存在，但它不再控制我的生活。我學會了通過緩慢而穩定的過程來管理和維持它，最終這為我帶來了勝利。
這種轉變是顯著的。在香港建立自己的事業並進入耐力運動的世界時，我不論是肉體上還是心靈上都相應減輕了負擔。疼痛不再主宰我的生活；它不再是障礙，而是我學會了平衡的東西。儘管疼痛有時會加劇，但它不再控制我——我控制它。
運動不僅僅成為了我的一個出口，也是我戰勝環境的勝利。我參加了許多鐵人三項和划船比賽，甚至代表香港參加了單人雙桨划船。我進行了超過2500公里的耐力手推車騎行，也接受了深海潛水和滑翔傘等冒險，每一個里程碑都是我重新掌握生命的證明。如今，我開著自己的夢想汽車，擺脫了曾經束縛我的疼痛。
分享我的故事對於激勵那些與慢性疼痛或殘疾抗爭的人來說至關重要。我的掙扎故事已經變成了堅持和勝利的故事。我的信息很明確：疼痛不必定義你。你可以重寫自己的故事，迎接挑戰，變得更強大。
願這個故事鼓勵其他人以勇氣面對自己的考驗，並提醒他們人類的精神具備非凡的韌性。
Comments