On December 7, 2018, Ahmed Ramiz Alhabib left us at just 29 years young. 

I remember playing basketball with Ahmed when I was younger - I must have been 7 or 8 years old, he would have been 14. It was down the road from his house in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. We were just messing around... doing tricks and showing off to each other. Every little thing that I did, Ahmed would react with a “wow!” - making me feel like I was the next Kobe Bryant. He’d tell me that I was so much better than him and that I could beat him if we ever played against each other. There’s no way I could have at that time. That’s Ahmed, though... instilling every bit of belief he could in other people. He believed in people so much.

Since childhood, Ahmed had diabetes - Type 1. He was healthy, active, ambitious, and was fighting with his body his whole life. He was constantly keeping himself in check, and despite the struggles of being a type 1 diabetic, he managed to carry a smile with him wherever he went... Actually, he managed to share his smile wherever he went. He had so much joy and love in him that he was able to share it with every person whose path he crossed, and he’d still have enough to continue smiling himself. Imagine that... what a loving warrior.

Being a Type 1 diabetic, Ahmed was a fighter his whole life... His purpose behind fighting? To give back. To share some of his strength, love, and kindness with others. He was so humble and genuine that he actually lived by that every day... ever since he was a kid.

He  was a paediatrician - a children’s doctor. He wanted to help shape the futures of children worldwide. He did just that. Ahmed was working at a hospital in Washington DC when he passed away. He had actually just finished operating on a child and managed to save the child’s life. After the operation, a meeting was held between hospital staff and Ahmed had excused himself to get some rest. During this period of rest and sleep, he passed away whilst still in the hospital. Minutes after just saving a child’s life. What a heroic way to leave us.

Ahmed had ambitions of travelling the world and helping children all over. Actually, just weeks before his passing, his sister had mentioned to me that he would like to go help in a hospital in Africa. There were no limits to Ahmed’s kindness.

Ahmed, you’ve reminded me that there’s a bigger adventure in life that’s ready for me. There’s even more excitement to be had, there’s even more love to give, and there’s even more laughs to be shared. There’s so much to see and experience in this world in the time that we have on it, and you did just that big bro. You saw so much of it, and yet there was still so much for you to see. So you’ve inspired me to go out and take those steps with you in my mind, and you in my heart. I’ll show you the rest of the world. We’ll share the laughs, share the love, and leave your caring and genuine imprint on all that we do.

I was so grateful to have come to Saudi after your passing to be with so many people that you love and that love you. I saw so much of you around me, and so much of you in their spirit.

Thank you, Ahmed, for all that you have showed me, and thank you for opening my eyes to a new way of living - the Ahmed way. I’ve decided to start living life The Ahmed Way. Taking inspiration from his approach to life and applying that to my own. I’ll therefore be running for Diabetes UK.

Help me honour Ahmed Alhabib, and join me in my quest to start living life The Ahmed Way. Any donation is a positive difference, so please feel free to chip in with whatever you feel comfortable.

With love,

Adam