ABOUT MIKE
HOLDER OF 3 WORLD RECORDS
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CLIMATE ACTION AMBASSADOR
ADVENTURER AND SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
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WHO IS MIKE?
He may be a MEDICAL WONDER, CLIMATE ACTIVIST, SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR, AND PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE, but above all else
MICHAEL HADDAD IS A MAN ON A MISSION
Michael is living proof that there is never enough reason to lose hope, and there is certainly no room for excuses.
MICHAEL’S STORY
At the age of 6, Michael suffered a jet ski accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He lost 75% of his mobile motor functions. Bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, Michael challenged his fate. After years of training and with a 'Swing Through Gait' (SWG) moving pattern he developed, Michael was able to stand up and walk with an exoskeleton— a feat deemed medically impossible.
Michael, however, was just getting started!
He may be a MEDICAL WONDER, CLIMATE ACTIVIST, SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR, AND PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE, but above all else
MICHAEL HADDAD IS A MAN ON A MISSION
Michael is living proof that there is never enough reason to lose hope, and there is certainly no room for excuses.
MICHAEL’S STORY
At the age of 6, Michael suffered a jet ski accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He lost 75% of his mobile motor functions. Bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, Michael challenged his fate. After years of training and with a 'Swing Through Gait' (SWG) moving pattern he developed, Michael was able to stand up and walk with an exoskeleton— a feat deemed medically impossible.
Michael, however, was just getting started!
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Michael Haddad's Official Twitter Page
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ABILITY
SHARING THE PASSION OF WALKING
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After years of practice, Michael was able to achieve the unthinkable and reach a level of performance that remains unequalled in the paraplegic community. Michael can now stand up, walk with an exoskeleton, go up and down stairs and freely ambulate on practically any type of terrain.
Michael takes on physical challenges that most able-bodied athletes would shy away from, and he always does so for a cause. Calling for reforestation of the iconic Lebanese Cedar -the country's national symbol- Michael crossed 19 km- 60,000 steps on mountainous trails. He has also climbed 40 m up the famous Raouche rock in Beirut to bring attention to marine pollution and has snowshoed to the top of the 'Black Peak' -the highest peak in the MENA Region - to stress the need for action against the melting ice caps and the impact of Climate Change. Michael’s physical ability to achieve these record-breaking feats -despite his condition- positions him as an ultra-endurance athlete. The international attention he has garnered has turned his story into a lesson about resilience and willpower. |
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THAT FIRST STEP WAS SO HARD, BUT THAT ONE STEP I TOOK CHANGED MY LIFE
IMPACT
CLIMATE CHANGE MISSION
Following these incredible achievements, Michael has been named, in November 2019, as regional goodwill ambassador in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for Arab States.
Immediately after his designation as Regional Goodwill Ambassador, endurance athlete Michael Haddad purposed his 100 km Arctic Walk for climate action to bring attention to one of the gravest consequences of climate change—the fast melting polar ice sheet- and to call for action to address the global climate emergency. The UN Secretary General lent his support to this endeavor, giving Michael a UN flag to carry in his walk.
Michael will be mustering all his willpower to perform the Arctic Walk scheduled for next winter season (Dec 2021- March 2022).
Immediately after his designation as Regional Goodwill Ambassador, endurance athlete Michael Haddad purposed his 100 km Arctic Walk for climate action to bring attention to one of the gravest consequences of climate change—the fast melting polar ice sheet- and to call for action to address the global climate emergency. The UN Secretary General lent his support to this endeavor, giving Michael a UN flag to carry in his walk.
Michael will be mustering all his willpower to perform the Arctic Walk scheduled for next winter season (Dec 2021- March 2022).
INCLUSION
IN TIMES OF COVID-19
“Leaving No One Behind” – Part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all United Nations Member States
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic that swept across the world in 2020 disrupted the Arctic Walk momentum, slowing down the research and development activities and logistical preparations necessary to move forward.
Michael and the UNDP rechanneled the Arctic Walk preparation energy into a “Stepping Ahead of COVID – SAC” initiative, which involved Michael completing short 4-5 km walks to underscore the need to make UNDP-led responses to the COVID pandemic inclusive of persons with disabilities (PwD), ensuring they are not left behind.
Michael and the UNDP rechanneled the Arctic Walk preparation energy into a “Stepping Ahead of COVID – SAC” initiative, which involved Michael completing short 4-5 km walks to underscore the need to make UNDP-led responses to the COVID pandemic inclusive of persons with disabilities (PwD), ensuring they are not left behind.
GIVE BACK
BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
BEIRUT WALK FOR INCLUSION
Under the SAC, Michael completed in October 2020, the Beirut Walk for Inclusion, a UN initiative to improve service for PwD and ensure that rebuilding the parts of Beirut destroyed in the Port Explosion of 4 August 2020 is done in an inclusive and accessible manner.
Under the SAC, Michael completed in October 2020, the Beirut Walk for Inclusion, a UN initiative to improve service for PwD and ensure that rebuilding the parts of Beirut destroyed in the Port Explosion of 4 August 2020 is done in an inclusive and accessible manner.
EGYPT WALK FOR INCLUSION
Later in December 2020, Michael completed the Egypt Walk for Inclusion at the foot of the Great Pyramids of Giza, a new UNDP initiative to promote local production and development of assistive technologies to facilitate the lives of persons with disabilities and enhance their participation in communities.
Later in December 2020, Michael completed the Egypt Walk for Inclusion at the foot of the Great Pyramids of Giza, a new UNDP initiative to promote local production and development of assistive technologies to facilitate the lives of persons with disabilities and enhance their participation in communities.
SCIENCE & SPORTS
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Michael is closely followed by scientists from the American University of Beirut (AUB), the Lebanese American University (LAU), and other international institutions. The team includes a multidisciplinary cluster of professionals, from neurologists and physical therapists to engineers. They study his performance and his brain's neuroplasticity to better understand how he executes these physical feats.
OUTREACH
ENDORSEMENTS & RECOGNITIONS
In appreciation of all of his achievements that sent a message of hope across the globe, Michael has been recognized and endorsed by reputable and well-esteemed individuals, governments, institutions, and companies worldwide. His message can empower individuals and influence nations to take action and build a better world regarding the climate.
INSPIRE
FUTURE YOUTH
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Michael is fighting on many fronts. His primary battle remains to overcome the daily challenges caused by his injury, but that doesn't stop him from pushing himself to the limit.
He shares as a keynote speaker in schools, universities, and businesses alike, his inspiring story and the lessons it teaches; lessons that apply to everyone indiscriminately. Be it raising awareness about climate change, finding a solution for people with spinal injuries, inspiring people that are demoralized or training businesses to overcome challenges and push themselves to reach their utmost potentials, Michael is up for it, and then some. |
“If we truly believe in ourselves, we are able to ELIMINATE every IMPOSSIBLITY in our lives, for me that impossibility was my Disability. |
Michael makes every fight his own!
BE THE NEXT PERSON MICHAEL MOTIVATES
BE THE NEXT PERSON MICHAEL MOTIVATES
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CORPORATE KEYNOTE
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EDUCATIONAL KEYNOTE
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JUST THE TWO OF US
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