Support Rida’s recovery from spinal cord injury

UPDATE (Feb 21, 2024)

A few words from Rida:

UPDATE (Feb 21, 2024)

We haven’t updated you in a while. It’s been a busy few months for Rida and all of us who are trying to care for each other while we continue to bear witness to the massacres in Gaza. But through it all, your love and support have been invaluable in allowing Rida to kickstart his rehabilitation journey, and we want to share some updates with you.

Rida traveled to Atlanta, USA in August and spent a month as an inpatient at Shepherd Center before joining their highly demanding outpatient day program. Rehab in the US ensured that Rida acquired the necessary skill set and tools to go about daily life without feeling completely incapacitated. The stay at Shepherd Center was particularly crucial in providing the necessary caregiving knowledge to his family and some of his friends who were able to visit.

This first phase of acute rehab ended in November and Rida then traveled to Qatar to be with his entire family. A few of us had the chance to visit him in December and ring in the new year together. He showed us around the city, being the best guide as always – with his trademark 'fun facts,' just like always!"

Rida’s journey continues as he prepares for his next trip to the US to pursue further rehab and treatment. His focus currently is on rebuilding strength and slowly regaining functional abilities to reduce his reliance on caregiving and take further steps towards his independence. He's educating himself about the case, reading up, spending time with loved ones… and of course analysing current affairs and big moments in science, just as he always does.

We are incredibly grateful and thankful for the support and care that has been given throughout this journey. The Rida love has kept us all going and will hopefully keep him going too. As Rida continues on his path of healing we will keep providing you with periodic updates on his improvements and upcoming plans.

With care and love,

Rida’s friends and family

UPDATE (Jul 10)

We are truly humbled by the positive response and all the love we’ve received so far. Your love, backing, and eagerness to help are priceless. We simply can’t thank you enough. These past few weeks have been overwhelming for Rida and us, his friends and family, as we learn to navigate this new reality.

Rida has recently transitioned from AUBMC in Beirut to the Cortbawi Hospital in North of Lebanon, where he is undergoing preliminary physiotherapy. He will very soon be traveling to a highly specialized neurorehabilitation center in the US, and he’s feeling excited about initiating that critical part of this rehabilitation journey. We’ll share more details on the US move in the coming weeks once Rida and his family have finalized all the major decisions that they’re currently facing.

Our primary focus now is to find the most suitable environment for Rida's physical and mental well-being. We’ve had the chance to learn a lot more on the various rehabilitation techniques, the numerous needs for long term rehabilitation, potential medical complications and treatments, and logistical requirements. We are immensely grateful for the kindness and support of strangers, friends, and individuals with spinal cord injuries who have generously shared their experiences with us, in addition to the assistance from medical experts.

We would greatly appreciate your continued support in the following ways:

(1) Help us conclude this ongoing funding round by promoting the campaign and, if possible, making contributions. When we initially launched this campaign, we had very limited knowledge about recovery timelines and the associated costs. Based on our latest estimates, the overall expenses for Rida's full rehabilitation exceed our initial expectations (likely approaching $1.5 million). The most urgent needs will involve the immediate exorbitant costs of the initial phase at the neurorehabilitation center. So far, your generosity has enabled us to raise $440k through the gofundme platform, along with $115k in direct donations.

(2) If you can support through in-kind contributions for specific cost items (e.g. rehabilitation sessions, treatments, transportation, equipment, etc.), arranging discounts or introductions to friends, family, or organisations within your network who can support, please let us know. You can get in touch with us via this page's 'Contact' button so that we can connect you with the right individuals.

This solidarity and warmth we feel from everyone near and far has allowed us to continue to try our best to find the optimal medical support for Rida, and also care for him as friends - hanging out and enjoying jokes and gossip, or just a silly romcom in his room away from all the noise. On behalf of all Rida’s loved ones, thank you.

And Rida sends his love

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UPDATE (Jun 20): No words can explain how we feel... We're beyond grateful and humbled by the support we have received. Initially, we did not expect to raise so much on such short notice. 'Rida love' is truly powerful!

The family is waiting for Rida's health to stabilize before proceeding with phase 1 of rehab, and we are already working on logistics to facilitate the transition. We will share the exact details once they are 100% locked.

As we mentioned before, we estimate that we will need €500,000. There are still many moving parts, but we will get more tangible inputs in the coming week or two. With things moving quickly, having more funds on hand will allow for a faster response. Please keep supporting and sharing; let's ensure Rida gets the best possible rehabilitation journey.

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Context

Our dear friend and forever-activist Rida is determined to reclaim his independence and recover from a paralysing spinal cord injury. While diving into deceptive waters, Rida's head hit a rock formation which fractured his spine and resulted in immediate loss of movement and sensation in most of his body below his neck. Rida's rehabilitation journey will be a long one, and adapting to the necessary lifestyle changes will carry financial strain.

We aim to raise €150,000 [updated to €500,000]* to contribute to Rida's initial rehabilitation phase (~4-6 months). This first phase is likely to be the most crucial, and Rida will be transported from Lebanon to be admitted at a specialised centre in Europe or the US. We are currently in ongoing discussions with the medical team and various facilities, and we will keep everyone informed once the family decides on the best option.

If you would like to discuss additional ways of supporting or transferring money, particularly for those in Lebanon, feel free to contact us through phone or WhatsApp at + 961 3 080093 (Roy D.)

* IMPORTANT: This campaign has received consent from Bilal Rida El Mawla and his sister Lama El Mawla. They have authorized Karim Toufic Kabbani, the organizer, to handle the transfer of donations.

**The fundraising amount on gofundme has been raised from the initial €150,000 to €500,000

More details about the situation

Rida is suffering from a C5-C8 fracture causing an incomplete cervical spinal cord injury that took away his ability to control his movements. He has already undergone surgery at AUBMC, Beirut and will soon be entering the first phase of an extensive rehabilitation process.

As his friends, we're determined to do everything we can to ensure that our Rida (aka Bilo) gets the best chance to regain control over his body. Fortunately, Rida's insurance and family support have covered his basic needs and allowed him to undergo spinal cord surgery and be hospitalised since then. But the rehabilitation costs and life adjustments will be insurmountable, especially as the accident affected all his limbs.

Based on our estimates, we require €500,000 over the next 18 months. Our fundraising goal is to help with costs relating to Rida’s first rehabilitation phase at a specialised centre outside of Lebanon:

Funds will be used to unlock access to the optimal specialised rehabilitation centre. We will keep all supporters of this page updated on Rida's progress, and if you need more information, please contact the organisers. Your contribution to his medical expenses will enable Rida to receive top-notch care, hopefully attain self-care independence, and increase his chances of a full recovery.

Rida is...

a musician, a performer, a wanderer, a surfer, a ski enthusiast, a financial consultant, an explorer, a poet, a science aficionado, and a dancer.

Your contribution will have a significant impact, much like Einstein's "spooky action at a distance", one of Rida's favourite inspirations. We're forever grateful you're joining his journey.

Love, Rida's friends