This athlete found running when he lost his sight

This athlete found running when he lost his sight

Location: Amman, Jordan

Suhail al Nashash began losing his eyesight at the age of fourteen

four years later he became completely blind

Struggling to accept his disability, Nashash found solace in exercise

and joined a running club for the visually impaired in 2010

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) VISUALLY IMPAIRED JORDANIAN ATHLETE, SUHAIL AL NASHASH, SAYING:"When I lost my eyesight, I did not know where to take my life or path. I had nothing to fill my time with except exercise. I started strengthening my body without knowing why. I did not think that I would become a champion. When I got introduced to the first club for the visually impaired, I was able to develop myself in sports and become a professional athlete by being a part of the club, the national league and others."

Nashash now represents the Al-Ataa club for people with visual disabilities

He has won trophies in local, regional and international competitions

including first place in the most recent Beirut Marathon

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) VISUALLY IMPAIRED JORDANIAN ATHLETE, SUHAIL AL NASHASH, SAYING:"Every one of us should know why they were born. We are here for a reason. I began searching a bit late but found why I came to this life. Thank God I became an example, a success story and people learnt from me."