Dubai: From losing his right leg to building a fitness community, this Lebanese personal trainer found a new life in the city

Dubai: From losing his right leg to building a fitness community, this Lebanese personal trainer found a new life in the city

The facilities and support for disabled individuals in Dubai left an indelible impression on Jeremy's heart

Published: Tue 8 Aug 2023, 6:00 AM

On a rain-splashed midnight in Beirut on December 27, 2019, Lebanese personal trainer Jeremy Melkonian found himself trapped between two cars, his right leg crushed in the wreckage. The pungent smell of leaking oil filled the air, while the fear of the cars catching fire loomed.

In that life-altering moment, Jeremy made a silent vow, "This will not be the end of me."

As he winced in pain, his mind raced back to the events that led to this pivotal moment. Earlier that evening, Jeremy had been driving back home when fate dealt him an unexpected blow — a flat tyre. He hastily stopped the car and opened the trunk to get a spare when another car smashed into his, pinning him in between.

With unwavering resolve, Jeremy pushed against the car that had collided with him, breaking free from the twisted metal ensnaring his leg. The pain was unbearable, but a surge of determination propelled him to overcome the agony and pull himself out of the wreckage.

"I don't know how I found the strength to do it," Jeremy said, reflecting on