Wheelchair, Wings & Willpower: The Unstoppable Spirit of Hiyam Baker

Heroes of the Phoenix Rising by Vision One World

When Worries Are Luxuries

Walking briskly to work, I found myself fretting about whether my silk blue blouse matched my navy skirt. The heels? Too high. My feet would be throbbing by the day’s end. “Flats tomorrow,” I promised myself, mentally noting to swing by Nine West after work and grab those gorgeous sandals I saw last week.

Thousands of miles away, in another corner of the world, a man in his 40s also rushed to work—not for style or comfort, but for survival. As the sole breadwinner for a family of seven, every hour of his day was a fight to make ends meet. But minutes later, that fight was cut short.

An Israeli soldier took his life—no warning, no reason, just because he was a Lebanese civilian under occupation. Beirut. 1982. Israeli War.

Childhood Ripped Apart by War

That man’s five children—some still in elementary school—were forced to drop out and pick up odd jobs to survive. Years passed, but the trauma of their father's violent death lingered. Then war struck again—this time between Palestine and Lebanon—reopening wounds that had barely begun to heal.

Among those five children were Hiyam Baker and her little sister Wafa, only nine years old at the time. On a rare peaceful day, the two sat chatting on their balcony, clinging to laughter like lifelines.

But in war, even moments of joy are dangerous. A bomb exploded nearby. Wafa lost her leg. Hiyam’s leg was permanently damaged. The hospital became their home for the next year and a half.

The Gratitude of Survival

Despite their injuries, they felt grateful. They had survived. In a war-torn nation, being alive was enough to celebrate. Concerns about wardrobe choices or sore feet? They became laughable.

Rising from the Rubble

Fast-forward to March 2007. Hiyam Baker, now 47, bears the scars of war both visible and unseen. Confined to a wheelchair and in constant pain, she refuses to let her condition define her. HPR proudly honors her as Hero of the Month, not for surviving—but for turning her suffering into a sanctuary for others.

A Lioness of Lebanon

In a society where disability often leads to rejection—where securing employment, independence, or even love is made painfully difficult—Hiyam forged her own path.

She witnessed her sister Wafa face deep humiliation for being a woman with a missing leg. But instead of retreating, Hiyam stepped forward. She gave up her own dreams of marriage to dedicate her life to advocating for people with disabilities.

Her mission?

• To restore dignity

• To promote independence

• To fight stigma with purpose

Tired of profit-driven charities exploiting the helpless, she asked a critical question:"What about those who need help but can’t afford it?"

Creating a Haven: Darb Al Wafaa

Determined to fill that gap, Hiyam launched her own nonprofit organization, Darb Al Wafaa. For the past four years, she has welcomed individuals with disabilities—especially those with no education or resources—and trained them in crafts and art forms that help them earn a living.

Her center charges nothing.Her goal is everything: empowerment. With every skill taught, Hiyam offers something even more valuable—self-belief. She reminds them daily that dignity isn't something society hands out; it's something you fight for and claim.

Mother to a Movement

To the people she trains, Hiyam is more than a teacher. She is a second mother. Her guidance, her presence, her love—these things breathe new life into broken spirits. Her efforts are working. Graduates of her center are now finding jobs, earning incomes, and living independently for the first time.

She even organizes picnics with both disabled and able-bodied people, creating spaces where joy and equality coexist.

Still Living in the Shadow of War

Her sister Wafa went on to complete her education and work, but eventually stepped back to raise two beautiful children.

Today, as violence again threatens northern Lebanon, Wafa lives in constant fear. With frequent car bombings and rumors of war, she clings tightly to her children—determined to shield them from a reality too heavy for young hearts.

Hope on Wheels

As for Hiyam, her mission is far from over. She knows she can’t stop wars, but she can keep showing up. With every painting she teaches, every picnic she hosts, every disabled person she lifts up—she declares that life is still worth living, even in uncertainty.

Her only “burden” these days?The love of her people.

"If Hiyam doesn’t come to the picnic, we cancel it," her community insists."There is no celebration without her. She is our family."

A Nation’s Guiding Light

Now, Hiyam also teaches painting to young children—a simple act of color in a country cloaked in gray. She may not be able to control the future of Lebanon, but she's coloring it with hope.

From the rubble of war to the heart of her community, Hiyam Baker continues to be a lighthouse for the lost, a mother for the abandoned, and a warrior for the unseen.

May the world see you now—because Lebanon already does.