Meet Omar, a Jordanian who reinvented himself after losing both legs

Record ID: 1717184

  • Title: Meet Omar, a Jordanian who reinvented himself after losing both legs
  • Date: 22nd March 2023
  • Summary: AMMAN, JORDAN (MARCH 13, 2023) (REUTERS) JORDANIAN CARPENTER, OMAR AL MASHAARAH, DRIVING HIS CAR AL MASHAARAH GETTING OUT OF CAR AL MASHAARAH ENTERING WORKSHOP ON CRUTCHES VARIOUS OF AL MASHAARAH OPENING THE DOOR OF HIS WORKSHOP VARIOUS OF AL MASHAARAH MARKING WOOD PIECES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JORDANIAN CARPENTER, OMAR AL MASHAARAH, SAYING: “Definitely, during Saddam’s (former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein) era I used to bring T1 (oil) from Al Qaem and life used to be safe. I used to transport oil day and night and I did not feel scared and there were no thieves. After THE oil ran out, we were forced to get water from Basra and distribute it to families. It was not safe at all. At 10 a.m., I was attacked by bandits who tried to steal my truck. Unfortunately I lost my legs during this incident.” EQUIPMENT IN WORKSHOP AL MASHAARAH LEAVING HIS WHEELCHAIR VARIOUS OF AL MASHAARAH CUTTING WOOD AL MASHAARAH WORKING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JORDANIAN CARPENTER, OMAR AL MASHAARAH, SAYING: “I am working not just to cover my expenses, but also as a kind of worship to God. I want to be a productive member of society who can meet the needs of my family. I do not only support myself, I also support my children and other people. I will do what I can do. It is not the end of my life if I only lose my legs. No, there is more to life.” AL MASHAARAH ON WHEELCHAIR AL MASHAARAH OPERATING MACHINE AL MASHAARAH CUTTING WOOD AL MASHAARAH LOOKING ON VARIOUS OF AL MASHAARAH CUTTING WOOD (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) JORDANIAN CARPENTER, OMAR AL MASHAARAH, SAYING: “Carpentry is my passion. When I started carpentry I couldn't change it to something else. It is a great feeling to work in carpentry. I chose a profession that I love and this profession loves me too. I started carpentry in 2004 or 2005. Now we are in 2023. I still have more ideas to implement. I will never stop it.” WOODEN HOUSE VARIOUS OF AL MASHAARAH WORKING ON A CRESCENT
  • Embargoed: 5th April 2023 12:32
  • Keywords: Amman Jordan People With Disability
  • Location: AMMAN, JORDAN
  • City: AMMAN, JORDAN
  • Country: Jordan
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Middle East
  • Reuters ID: LVA001926822032023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Working in a small workshop in Amman, Jordanian Omar Al Mashaarah creates accessories out of wood.
    Once a truck driver between Jordan and Iraq, Mashaarah lost both of his legs after bandits tried to steal his truck during one of his journeys. During the attack, Mashaarah sustained an injury that led to his legs being amputated.
    Unable to drive for long distances after the incident, the 55-year-old decided on a different path.
    He taught himself carpentry 18 years ago and opened a workshop where he produces wooden boxes, pots of plants and home accessories for different businesses.
    “I am working not just to cover my expenses, but also as a kind of worship to God. I want to be a productive member of society who can meet the needs of my family. I do not only support myself, I also support my children and other people,” the father of two said.
    Living in a country plagued by high unemployment, Mashaarah's disability adds yet another hurdle as only 7.7% of Persons with Disabilities aged 15 and above are employed according to 2015 statistics, a position paper by the Jordan Labor Watch reveals.
    “It is not the end of my life if I only lose my legs. No, there is more to life."
    (Production: Jehad Abu Shalbak, Muath Freij)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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