As people with disabilities, sometimes it can be easy to think that we are alone, isolated, and that we have no choice but to be consumed by the extra time and energy required for us manage our daily lives. Just surviving with a disability for 20-year old Nujeen Mustafa wasn't an option, and she had barely survived. Living with cerebral palsy in war-torn Syria in 2014, she fled the bombarded city of Aleppo with her sister pushing her wheelchair over 5,000 kilometers until they reached Europe as refugees.  They settled in Germany, where Nujeen was able to study and restart her life with the support she needed to live independently. She has since become an outspoken advocate for others with disabilities around the world, especially for those in refugee communities and areas affected by war. In 2019, Nujeen became the first person with a disability to speak at the United Nations Security Council regarding the responsibility of global powers to protect civilians with disabilities. Like her, we all have the opportunity to transform the nightmares we survive into our most powerful weapons of truth and hope for the world. Never stop fighting, Nujeen! Let's get more disability advocates at the UN! 

Read and watch a BBC recent update on Nujeen's story at ​https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-54165869.
Check out Nujeen's book on her experience at https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Aleppo-Nujeens-Escape-Freedom-ebook/dp/B072FTK9FN. 

#disability #morethanwalking #cerebralpalsy

Matthew Tilford has been advocating for himself and others with #spinalcordinjury and #disability on his blog and social media as he faces work challenges during Covid-19. Comment with blogs/vlogs you follow! Share your own story with More Than Walking!

http://www.matttilford.com/blog