Wheelchair Alliance’s newest patron brings clinical expertise and lived experience to drive forward change

The Wheelchair Alliance has announced consultant urological surgeon Mr Mo Belal as its newest patron.

In his honorary role, Mo will use both his clinical expertise and lived experience as a wheelchair user to support the Alliance in its mission to champion better access and higher quality services for wheelchair users.

For the past 28 years, he has worked in the medical profession, with the last 14 years spent working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham performing reconstructive surgery for patients with urological conditions, including spina bifida and spinal cord injury. He is also a member of the Royal College of Surgeons and is the current vice president for education for the British Association of Urological Surgeons.

He will also draw on his lived experience, having become a wheelchair user in 2020 following a cycling accident in which a falling tree left him seriously injured. This led to an intense period of treatment and recovery to aid his return to the job he loved.

That moment came 20 months later. He was able to successfully continue operating on his patients using a standing front wheel drive powerchair which enables Mo to stand while in theatre.

With many of Mo’s patients relying on wheelchairs, he will utilise his professional experience to contribute to the conversation on the shaping of services, so that wheelchair users get the right chair, at the right time.

Speaking of his appointment, Mr Mo Belal said: “It’s an absolute privilege to be named as a patron of the Wheelchair Alliance.

“One of the challenges I faced after my accident was wheelchair service provision. A wheelchair is not simply a chair; it’s a part of you and crucial for independence. It’s a wheelchair user’s only mode of transport 24/7.

“Going back to work after my accident as a wheelchair user enabled me to have a better understanding of my patients and their needs and highlighted that representation is important.

“I truly feel that I have been given a second chance and want to make a positive impact in my new role.

“There is a huge community out there and wheelchair users do not have to fight alone. I look forward to working closely with the Alliance to help ensure that access to the right chair is timely and that there is equity in access too.”

Of his appointment, chief executive officer of the Alliance, Nick Goldup said: “It’s fantastic to have Mr Mo Belal onboard as a patron of the Alliance.

“He has fought through adversity and his positive mindset will be a great asset as we continue to move forward with our plans to help ensure that wheelchair users across the UK have their voices heard at the highest level.

“His clinical and lived experience will be invaluable in helping us to drive forward change.”

This news follows the announcement last month that the Rt Hon Lord Philip Hunt OBE joined the Alliance as a patron, alongside Nick Wilson, a renowned speaker, disabled adventurer and content creator.