A Polio Victim, A Basketball Champion: Habibullah’s Inspiring Story
Khost, Afghanistan – The basketball game was intense, and the spectators watched with joy. Among the players seated in wheelchairs, one athlete made a crucial move during the decisive moment of the match, scoring a basket that led his team to victory.
This remarkable player is 26-year-old Habibullah, a resident of Mandozai district in Khost province. At just six months old, he contracted polio, which paralyzed his right leg.
He recounts this tragic chapter of his life as told by his mother: “I was six months old when I developed a severe fever. After going to the hospital, it was discovered that I had contracted polio.”
He attributes his contracting polio to not being vaccinated, saying: “If my family had administered the polio vaccine to me during my childhood, I would not have contracted this incurable disease and would be healthy today.”
According to him, in the past, awareness about the dangers of polio and the importance of vaccination was limited. People believed that the vaccine could harm children’s health. Unfortunately, he fell victim to this negative mindset and now considers himself a burden on others.
Habibullah, the eldest child in his family, states that his parents prioritize him over his siblings in every way to ensure he doesn’t feel helpless or discouraged.
He explains that due to financial difficulties, he had to drop out of school midway. However, in his early youth, he developed a passion for basketball.
“Although I was disabled and my legs did not support me, I worked hard and fought against challenges to progress in basketball. As a result, I became a prominent player and a member of the Khost provincial team,” he said.
According to him, when he is playing on the court, he doesn’t think about his disability but instead focuses on striving for his team’s victory: “I want to show those who have been disabled due to polio or other reasons that with determination and willpower, anything is possible.”
He is pleased that the wheelchair basketball team he is part of has played and won against many provincial teams, including those from Kabul.
This remarkable player is 26-year-old Habibullah, a resident of Mandozai district in Khost province. At just six months old, he contracted polio, which paralyzed his right leg. © Polio Free Afghanistan/ 2024/ Rahmatullah Marjankhil
Habibullah, reflecting on his polio-induced disability and the continued presence and spread of the virus in society, has a message for the community: “Polio is a dangerous disease that can lead to permanent paralysis or even death in children. However, it can be easily prevented through vaccination. Administering the polio vaccine to children is a vital responsibility of every family. I am a victim of polio myself; if my family had taken vaccination seriously at the time, I wouldn’t be suffering from the hardships of disability today.”
Qismatullah Qurban, the captain of Habibullah’s team who always encourages him, says, “Habibullah plays a crucial role in our team’s victories with his high determination and excellent skills. He is an inspiring figure for other disabled individuals who see disability as a barrier to progress.”
He added that through his efforts, Habibullah aims to show every child and young individual with disabilities that they should never give up on their ambitions and dreams.
Habibullah’s childhood friend, Wali Gul, shares, “Habibullah has been my close friend since childhood. We were together in school, but unfortunately, poverty forced him to drop out halfway. His father had to work abroad due to financial difficulties, leaving Habibullah’s educational dreams unfulfilled.”
According to Wali Gul, although Habibullah endures significant hardships in life, his involvement in basketball has alleviated some of his difficulties.
He describes Habibullah as not only a good friend but also a hero of resilience and perseverance.
Habibullah’s story is a living example of determination, effort, and success. He not only fights against his disability but also serves as a source of inspiration for other disabled individuals, conveying a message of hope and resilience.
His tragic experience of being disabled by polio serves as a lesson for society to take the importance of vaccinations, including the polio vaccine, seriously to ensure the health of children.
Rahmatullah Marjankhil, Polio Free Afghanistan
