Mo Belal

Whilst cycling with a friend in 2021 a tree fell on me, leading to a spinal cord injury (SCI). After multiple operations and eight months in hospital with over one thousand hours of rehabilitation over twenty months, I was able to return to my career as a consultant urological surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

I am among a very small number of surgeons who work from a wheelchair and use a specially adapted chair to enable me to perform my specialist surgical procedures. Many of my patients are wheelchair users. I hope to inspire people of all abilities by returning to work as a surgeon after a life changing injury.

I am using my medical background to campaign for better healthcare outcomes for those with spinal injuries and disability in the UK. I was invited to become a Spinal Injuries Association Ambassador. In this role I have chaired a Roundtable meeting in Parliament to improve health outcomes for SCI patients whilst in hospital. This resulted in a meeting with the health minister and agreement for standards across the NHS for those with disability. I also contributed to the Rebuilding Lives Panel for the SIA, considering novel and national ways to improve SCI pathways.

Influenced by my experiences in hospital I have become a trustee for the charity Horatio’s Gardens; working to ensure all spinal injury rehab patients have access to therapeutic outdoor spaces which support their mental health and wellbeing.

My NHS work allows me to influence and educate other health care professionals through talks, lectures and meetings. I have lectured medics both nationally and internationally, about issues relating to spinal injury but also themes such coping with adversity and improving emotional wellbeing.

I am so grateful to have been given a second chance after my accident and I hope to continue to use my skills and experiences in the service of other with disability. This has become my passion and privilege.