3 thousand km in Saudi Arabia by handbike in 30 days, Matteo Parsani’s undertaking is a great adventure and the story of a heroic personal revenge over the adversities of life which becomes, for the whole world, a symbol of hope, resilience and determination.
Professor Matteo Parsani, professor of Applied Mathematics and Computational Science at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), concluded his journey “Athar: from east to west”.
3 thousand km in Saudi Arabia on a handbike, the feat of Matteo Parsani
Departing December 17, 2023, Matteo it crossed ten cities of Arabia from east to west passing through Dammam, Riyadh, Al-Qasim (Burayda), Hail, AlUla, Red Sea Global, Medina, Mecca, Jeddah and concluding the journey at KAUST, covering a distance of over 3,000 kilometers by handbike, with an average of 150 kilometers per day. The project, supported by the Saudi university, has a dual objective, that of increasing awareness on the topic of disability by promoting sport and physical activity and that of shedding light on the topic of accessible tourism.
Who is Matteo Parsani
Six years ago, Matteo remained victim of an accident that changed his life, leaving him paralyzed in his lower body. After years of meticulous monitoring and rehabilitation, Professor Parsani made the extraordinary decision to undertake an unprecedented coast-to-coast handbike ride across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in order to promote physical activity, sport and raise people’s awareness of the issue of disability. This titanic undertaking is not only the symbol of a personal triumph over life’s adversities, but also represents a great source of inspiration.
Professor Parsani visited the headquarters ofAuthority for Persons with Disabilities and several rehabilitation centers across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, such as the Onaizah Association for Development and Human Services (Ta’heel) and the Children with Disabilities Association, connecting with people with disabilities in Al-Qasim’s AlBaik restaurants , Hail and at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Throughout his journey and at every stage of his journey, Professor Parsani was warmly welcomed in every city, experiencing what in Saudi Arabia they call “Hafawah”, the genuine hospitality typical of these places.
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The trip to Saudi Arabia by handbike
The Professor shared his valuable experience with the residents of each city he visited, immersing himself in the unique traditions of each region and expressing his feelings about them: “I experienced warm hospitality wherever I stopped. I have made friends in different parts of the Kingdom and this is an experience I will cherish within me forever.” Furthermore, he spoke about the physical challenges he faced during the trip and the motivation that pushed him to overcome them: “It was a challenging 30-day trip, and I am happy to live up to my motto, which is “By dreaming big you can do anything you imagine.” With support and determination, I was able to face every challenge.”
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