Despite paralysis, Kirkuk repairman supports three families and turns trash into art

HAWIJA — Each morning in the Kirkuk district of Hawija, 57-year-old Adel Aswad navigates life with paralysis to reach the small workshop where he repairs motors, water pumps, washing machines and coolers—skills he has practiced since 1985.

“I was born in 1968. I suffer from paralysis in my lower limbs, but I never let it become an obstacle in my life. On the contrary, it became a motivation to continue and take on responsibility,” he told 964media.

Aswad supports three families through his repair work and often pushes beyond physical limits to get the job done. “Sometimes I’m forced to do work that exceeds my physical capacity,” he said.

He said his determination has only grown in the face of doubt. “Despite the criticism I face from some people, their words don’t weaken me. They only increase my determination to move forward,” he said.

In his spare time, Aswad turns to farming and creative reuse of everyday materials. “I love agriculture and art. I use my spare time to paint and grow plants,” he said. “I create ornaments and vases from scrap. I turn Pepsi bottles into beautiful plant holders because I believe beauty can emerge from the simplest things.”

He began painting in the late 1980s. “Art was my refuge, a way to express my longing for the past. I often give my paintings to friends and loved ones,” he said.

Aswad urged young people to take initiative and not wait for opportunity to knock. “Willpower exists in every person. No one is incapable of working. Just put in the effort and start your own project—life doesn’t wait.”