ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Majdi al-Tatar lost his right leg in an accident thirty years ago but every morning, he turns up to a local swimming pool in Gaza to teach others how to swim.
The accident did not stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a swimming instructor.
"I discovered that I have talent and capabilities in sports, and thanks be to God, I picked up sports and practiced sports in my life normally," Al-Tatar told Rudaw's Mohammed Salim on Wednesday.
Al-Tatar currently runs a swimming school and has been able to participate in both local and international championships, winning golden and silver medals for his outstanding performances.
"I participated in many local and international tournaments, and I won, thanks to God, the gold medal in the Arab Championship that was held in Jordan," Al-Tatar added.
He has gained the trust of children and parents alike.
"I am training with Captain Al-Tatar who taught me how to swim. In fact, he is a distinguished trainer. He is good at teaching us swimming," Adnan Sbeita, a teen who has learned swimming after taking courses with al-Tatar said.
And for his part, Adel Sbeita, teen’s father, said that his children "feel comfortable" with him.
"During several training sessions only, my children benefited a lot, and he does everything necessary for them," Sbeita added.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) lists at least 1,600 people out of the two million inhabitants of Gaza as amputees.
