Dad with just one arm swam English Channel - now he's helping others do same (original) (raw)

Dad who swam English Channel with one arm now coaches others to achieve the same feat

Khaled Shalaby, who lost the use of his right arm due to polio, swam the 21 miles of the English Channel in 16 hours and 22 minutes in 1983 - now he's helping others do the same

Khaled Shalaby with swimming student Faisal Al-Gosaiby

A dad who conquered the English Channel in spite of his disability has become an inspiration, proving "nothing is impossible".

Khaled Shalaby, a Liverpool city centre resident, completed the Channel swim back in 1983. At the time, the feat the father of three accomplished had only been done by a select few. However, the remarkable aspect of the 64-year-old's achievement was that he did it with just one arm.

Originally from Egypt, Khaled lost the use of his right arm at birth due to polio. The disease, which primarily affects nerves in the spinal cord or brain stem, required him to put in extra effort in sports.

Speaking to the ECHO, the ex-supervisor at Toxteth's Citizens Advice Bureau said: "I've been swimming since I was four and my family, especially my mum and dad, got me into it. They supported me all the way. I never let my disability get the better of me or my thinking.

"I was raised in a family where I was taught that I wasn't disabled just because of my arm. They encouraged me to get over any problems and obstacles. I played lots of sports that involved the use of arms - handball and squash."

Khaled Shalaby only has the use of one arm because of polio (

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Khaled Shalaby)

After extensive training, Khaled swam the 21-mile stretch of the English Channel in 16 hours and 22 minutes. His feat earned him a spot in the Guinness Book of Records and recognition from King Charles, who was the Prince of Wales at the time.

Khaled has shared his challenging journey with a paralysed right arm, which left him to depend solely on his left for swimming. He explained: "My right arm is completely paralysed. I don't feel it, it doesn't work and it doesn't move. Only my left arm works and it makes it a lot harder to swim because longer-distance swimming requires the power of the shoulders, not the legs."

Elaborating on the difficulties faced while tackling the English Channel, he said: "I knew it was possible but it's 80% shoulder and 20% legs - especially when you're swimming the English channel. It's hard because you need to keep moving and keep your balance whilst facing the tide, waves and the wind."

Khaled Shalaby trains his swimmers in the Red Sea (

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No credit)

Now an inspiration, Khaled has been instrumental in training others, including helping six individuals with Down Syndrome achieve their goals. Among them was Faisal Al-Gosaiby, a 30-year-old with learning disabilities who completed the relay channel swim in 10 hours and 46 minutes this August.

Reflecting on his coaching approach with Faisal, Khaled stated: "I made a compatible relationship between him and the water. I taught him how to swim but also how to breathe in the water."

Addressing the challenges posed by the aversion to cold often found in those with Down Syndrome, he remarked: "People with Down Syndrome tend to stay away from cold water. They have a problem with the coldness. I teach them patience and let them know it will take time."

He concluded on a powerful note, highlighting the impact of his efforts: "I believe nothing is impossible. The word isn't in my dictionary. When I helped the others swim the channel, I felt like the stars were in my hands and I was reaching for the moon. It was life-changing and shows we can be together, as a normal part of society, and be as one. Equality and diversity in sports help us come together."