Mohammed was born with spina bifida, a condition in which part of the spine doesn’t develop properly, exposing sections of the spinal cord and nerves. Born in Syria while his family was fleeing conflict, Mohammed and his family were granted humanitarian entry to the U.S. when he was 4 years old. Habitat for Humanity helped them settle in Sacramento, where, unbeknownst to them, they were near one of the nation’s leading hospitals for pediatric spina bifida care—Shriners Children’s Northern California.

Since he was five years old, Mohammed has received care from Shriners’ expert team, led by Maya Evans, M.D., whose internationally recognized spina bifida program offers advanced treatment options. Over the years, Mohammed has undergone multiple surgeries to correct deformities in his lower leg, foot, and spine, including treatment for scoliosis.

Despite many long days in the hospital, he maintains a positive outlook on life. Mohammed currently attends school and uses a wheelchair to navigate his everyday life. His father, Bassam, credits Dr. Evans and the Shriners Children’s team for connecting the family with every resource possible to give him the ability to live a more independent life.

Now 14, Mohammed is passionate about basketball, is a huge Sacramento Kings fan, and enjoys spending time with friends. He played wheelchair basketball and quickly became a standout on his school’s team. His skill and positive attitude even earned him a position as assistant coach. Reflecting on his role as a coach, Mohammed shared, “I love coaching. I know I can help keep the team motivated and inspired. I think the team looks to me for ongoing support and I know I can do that for them.” Today, Mohammad loves sharing his story to inspire other kids to pursue their dreams and not let their diagnosis define them.