- Title: PERSONAL: Gaza amputee instructor becomes inspiration to young swimmers
- Date: 7th August 2023
- Summary: GAZA CITY, GAZA (AUGUST 5, 2023) (REUTERS) CHILDREN SPLASHING IN WATER DURING LESSON, SWIMMING INSTRUCTOR, MAJDI EL- TATTAR STANDING NEAR POOL TATTAR JUMPING INTO SWIMMING POOL CHILDREN SITTING BY POOL, WATCHING TATTAR SWIM VARIOUS OF TATTAR TEACHING CHILDREN DURING LESSON VARIOUS OF TATTAR OUTSIDE POOL TEACHING CHILDREN HOW TO SWIM DURING LESSON (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SWIMMING INSTRUCTOR, MAJDI EL-TATTAR, SAYING: "When people come to the swimming pool, they're surprised that I can swim with one leg and they wonder how I will be able to deal with the children. But when I get into the water with the children, I treat them as if I am their father and build trust and confidence in them and teach them that water will help them enjoy life. This directly changes their perspective." TATTAR TEACHING CHILD HOW TO SWIM VARIOUS OF CHILDREN WARMING UP WITH TATTAR (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SWIMMING INSTRUCTOR, MAJDI EL-TATTAR, SAYING: "Of course, every person who strives for success will inevitably face obstacles, especially if the person has a disability, as people’s perceptions might be challenging. But thank God with determination we can overcome these challenges and reach our goals." EL-TATTAR WITH CHILD DURING LESSON FATHER OF CHILD TRAINEE, ADEL ESBITEH, STANDING NEAR POOL WITH HIS CHILDREN (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FATHER OF CHILD TRAINEE, ADEL ESBITEH, SAYING: "I am reassured about Abu Al- Motasem's performance and his capabilities. I believe that the disability lies in the mind and not in the body. He is a skilled person with experience and I follow his work, may God bless him." CHILDREN SPLASHING WATER, TATTAR STANDING NEXT TO CHILDREN BANNER READING (Arabic): "SWIMMING FIRST ACADEMY" TATTAR WALKING IN HIS HOUSE'S CORRIDOR TATTAR GOING UP STAIRS TATTAR SITTING WITH HIS CHILDREN, TALKING AND POINTING AT MOBILE DAUGHTER OF TATTAR LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SWIMMING INSTRUCTOR, MAJDI EL-TATTAR, SAYING: "From this injury, I told myself I had to turn this ordeal into a blessing. I made the amputation of my leg a motive for me to become an active member of society and leave a mark and positive impact on society. I wanted to deal with my condition naturally, thank God. I developed my skills and obtained qualifications, and that enabled me to start a swimming school." TATTAR TALKING TATTAR SITTING AT HOME CHILDREN SWIMMING IN POOL AT SUMMER CAMP FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES MEN WITH DISABILITIES JUMPING INTO POOL KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA (JULY 29, 2023) (REUTERS) MAN WITH DISABILITY FLOATING IN POOL MAN WITH DISABILITY SWIMMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) COORDINATOR FOR PALESTINE CHILDREN'S RELIEF FUND, DUNIA SAED, SAYING: "The Camp Ability (name of camp for people with disabilities) today gathers about a hundred and twenty children of all amputee children from throughout Gaza from the north to the south, all of them are amputated lower limb or upper limb whether it's from war-related injuries or it's congenital deformities or it's a sickness and disease, all of them are amputees and today our goal in the Camp Ability is to join the kids together and to bring them to show them and to show the communities that they live in that they are able-bodied and they can do anything that any normal person can do." MAN WITH DISABILITY JUMPING INTO POOL / PERSON WITH PROSTHETIC LEG STANDING BY POOL KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA (AUGUST 2, 2023) (REUTERS) CHILDREN SWIMMING AT SUMMER CAMP FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES / PROSTHETIC LEGS ON SIDE CHILDREN SITTING AROUND TABLE GIRL ON WHEELCHAIR GIRL WITH DISABILITY AT CAMP
- Embargoed: 21st August 2023 11:04
- Keywords: Gaza Palestinians leg amputated people with disabilities swimming instructor with disability
- Location: GAZA CITY AND KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA
- City: GAZA CITY AND KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA
- Country: Palestinian Occupied Territory
- Topics: Human-Led Feature,Human-Led Stories,Middle East
- Reuters ID: LVA001263406082023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Majdi El-Tattar was just nine years old when he lost his leg in an accident. Now he is an inspiration to aspiring swimmers in Gaza - as a qualified swimming coach who runs his own school.
Parents bringing their children to swimming classes for the first time are surprised to see Tattar standing on two crutches, but their doubts soon turn into confidence when they see his skills in the water.
Tattar, now aged 42, lost his right leg when he was run over by a car. Faced with the problem of finding a job in the Palestinian enclave, where nearly half the working-age population is unemployed, he took to swimming and qualified as a coach.
His Palestinian Swimming Academy holds its classes in a local pool and its students include youngsters and adults alike.
The International Committee of the Red Cross lists at least 1,600 amputees among Gaza's population of 2 million people.
Assalama Charitable Society, which cares for wounded and people with disabilities, said 532 Gazans had lost limbs in the conflict with Israel.
Earlier this month, the U.S.-based Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) brought together 120 Gaza children who have upper and lower limb amputations, into a summer camp.
(Production: Bassam Masoud, Fadi Shana) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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