From Accident to Recovery

In August 2023, Aqeel Ahmad, a young man in Lahore, Pakistan, survived a violent incident that changed his life forever.

Aqeel was riding in a rickshaw in the Gajjumata area when two men on a motorcycle attempted to snatch his mobile phone. During the struggle, he was thrown from the rickshaw, struck his head on a concrete barrier, and lost consciousness. An ambulance transported him to the hospital.

Nine days later, Aqeel suffered a major stroke caused by a brain clot. He required emergency brain surgery. When he woke up, he had global aphasia — a severe language disorder that took away his ability to speak, read, and write.

Before the stroke, Aqeel worked in human resources at a company in Lahore. Afterward, he lost his job, and his relationship ended. Recovery has been slow and isolating.

Many friends struggled to understand his condition when he had little speech. What carried him through was his parents, who became his primary support system and helped him communicate when he could not do so himself.

Through two years of therapy and daily practice, Aqeel’s speech is slowly returning.

“I am bringing my language back, word by word,” Aqeel said.

The police never arrived, and the men responsible were never caught. Today, Aqeel says that is no longer his focus. His focus is recovery, acceptance, and rebuilding his life.

“Struggle is temporary, but quitting lasts forever. With God’s help, I am moving forward.”