Malayali among first three beneficiaries of global advanced prosthetic initiative

Abu Dhabi: A Malayali is among the first three beneficiaries of ‘10 Journeys,’ an advanced global prosthetic charity initiative launched by Burjeel Holdings founder and chairman Dr Shamsheer Vayalil to support those paralysed due to accidents or illness. It is Sharon Cherian (33), a native of Chingavanam in Kottayam, who is now taking confident new steps in life, thanks to a free Osseointegration surgery performed under the scheme by world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon Prof Dr Munjed Al Muderis at Burjeel Medical City (BMC), Abu Dhabi.

Three young people paralysed after life-altering accidents were chosen as the project’s first beneficiaries. Alongside Sharon, the other two were Anas Jebeyhi from Palestine and Joshua Arnold from the United States. Dr Shamsheer had launched the project to offer free Osseointegration surgeries to 10 selected individuals during the inauguration of the Al Muderis Osseointegration Clinic at BMC three months ago. The initiative was dedicated to the heroic survival of siblings Sham and Omar during the 2022 Syrian earthquake.

This advanced procedure fuses a prosthetic limb directly with the bone, thus providing patients with greater mobility and an improved quality of life. Ten people from around the world will benefit from the project, with selection based on their medical condition and financial circumstances. While three have already undergone surgery, seven more will benefit from he project in the coming months.

Life-altering accident
Sharon’s life took a tragic turn at the age of 21 following a bike accident in December 2013. His friend, who was riding the bike, died on the spot, while Sharon, riding pillion, suffered severe injuries to his hip and leg.

He spent nine months in hospitals battling abdominal wounds and infections. To save his life, doctors were forced to amputate his right leg. The financial and emotional toll was immense as the family even had to sell their home to meet treatment expenses.

For years, Sharon had been dependent on a walking stick and often felt the effects of societal discrimination. Yet, he refused to give up. Three years ago, he learned about Osseointegration and connected with Dr Munjed. However, the prohibitive cost made it impossible for his family to afford that treatment.  Just as his hopes had faded, he received the news about the ‘10 Journeys’ project. Sharon regards his selection as a beneficiary of the project as the most significant turning point of his life. He expressed his gratitude to the UAE and everyone behind the initiative.

Accompanied by his mother, Sharon reached Abu Dhabi and underwent treatment at BMC. For the youngster, the treatment system at BMC was utterly new. Employed in a catering company, he is now optimistic about rebuilding his career and life without limitations. He hopes to find work and dreams of doing everything a `normal person' does. “For long, people only saw my shortcomings. I want to prove myself and be valued for my talents,” Sharon said.

A deadly grenade, mistaken for decoration
For Anas Jebeyhi from the West Bank, Palestine and Joshua Arnold (29) from Louisiana, USA, this too marks a journey of renewed hope. At the age of 12, Anas’s life changed forever when he stumbled upon an object shaped like an avocado while collecting grass for his goats. He took it home, unaware that it was a grenade. When he tried to break it open to decorate his bookshelf, it exploded, costing him his left leg and right eye.

Till 30 years of age, Anus survived with eight different prosthetics sourced from across countries. He grew up in the Tulkarm refugee camp without basic amenities like water and electricity, and recently had to shift again for security reasons. Despite hardships, he pursued his education relentlessly, completing a post-graduation in electrical engineering. Since 2016, he has also been actively involved in bodybuilding.

Joshua Arnold, meanwhile, lost his right hand and the vision in his left eye in a motorcycle accident in 2024. Supported by his fiancée, Aleesa Akkar, and his family, Joshua endured painful attempts at using conventional socket prosthetics, which ultimately failed him. The accident forced him to postpone his wedding, plunging him into depression. But in those dark days of misery, his parents, siblings and fiancée Aleesa stood firmly by his side.

Set to continue rehabilitation at the Paily Orthopaedic and Spine Institute in Florida, Joshua dreams of returning to the UAE for his honeymoon next year. The trio hope that their lives will serve as a beacon of hope for others fighting similar battles. “Hope is always around the corner, no matter how bad things get. It’s not the good times, but our struggles that define us,” he says.

A global mission of hope
For Prof Munjed Al Muderis, who performed his first independent surgery in 2009 and has since completed over 1,200 successful Osseointegration procedures in Australia and beyond, this project is both a mission and a joy. Anas, Joshua, and Sharon were selected after a thorough review of their applications. Having undergone surgery, they are now moving into the rehabilitation phase with their new prosthetics. Prof. Muderis describes it as “a step towards a better tomorrow.” The project’s search committee continues to review applications, and the remaining seven surgeries are scheduled to be carried out in the coming months.