Her sister was injured along with her and after an infection forced her to have her leg amputated above the knee, Zainab’s life changed forever.
The road to recovery has been long and difficult: “The accident affected our entire family. It has taken months and years to recover and adjust. Even when the road seems to be over, it never really is. Victims continue to face complications, not just at the moment of the accident, but throughout their lives.”
From challenge to strength
Zainab, who grew up in Iraq and later moved to the United Arab Emirates, says she was protected from society’s challenges until she went to university: “To be honest, I didn’t realise how harsh society was until I went to university. I lived a fairly isolated life as a teenager, but university exposed me to society’s harshness, especially when it came to the perception of my capabilities as a disabled person.”
But those hardships made her a stronger, more determined person: “I learned a lot of heartbreaking lessons in college, but I’m grateful for it. Those lessons shaped me into the person I am today.”
Now in her early 30s, Zainab first attracted media attention when she founded an organisation to combat disability prejudice in the region, and later became the Middle East’s first amputee TV presenter, presenting a programme focusing on youth issues.
A supportive online community
In 2014, Zainab began sharing her life story with the world. She became a content creator with a mission. “I started this journey out of a passion to share my life with people and spread positivity, motivation and empowerment,” she explains.
Over the past decade, she has amassed millions of followers on social media and built a supportive online community, and Zainab says her participation in TikTok Live SHEroes, an initiative to support female creators in the MENA region, has been particularly meaningful.
“I found a platform to share my journey, inspire others and connect with people who resonate with my message and experiences. It has truly empowered me to grow both personally and professionally by amplifying my voice and influence,” she said.
Now in her early 30s, Zainab first gained media attention when she founded an organisation to combat prejudice against people with disabilities in the region. She later became the Middle East’s first amputee TV presenter, hosting a programme on youth issues. Image credit: Provided
The road to adventure
In recent years, Zainab has discovered a new passion: solo road trips. Her first adventure began in the summer of 2022 with a seven-day journey through the breathtaking Norwegian landscape. “Road trips make you live life to the fullest. My first solo trip was empowering and gave me a very clear idea of โโmy goals and dreams.”
In 2023, she took another road trip, this time for a 10-day journey through Iceland, an experience so profound that she says she “could write a book about it.”
Zainab says she loves to go on road trips to different parts of the world. Image credit: Provided
Her most recent road trip in 2024 took her through parts of Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia, and she did most of the planning and driving. “It was 11 days in total and pretty intense, but amazing!” she recalls.
But while it wasn’t a road trip, this trip to Paris will be one that Zainab will remember for a lifetime, as she spent two weeks in Paris witnessing the magic of the Paralympic Games and cheering on incredible athletes who embody resilience and strength.
Sport has always been an important part of Zainab’s life, but she doesn’t participate to compete, but for the joy it brings her. “Sport makes me feel independent, strong, happy and healthy. It allows me to get on with my life, travel and have the adventures I love without needing a lot of support.”
Zainab in Paris, where she was in Paris for two weeks to witness the magic of the Paralympics and cheer on the incredible athletes who embody resilience and strength. Image credit: Provided
Zainab’s recent deep sea diving and zip lining videos have captivated and inspired her followers, showcasing her sense of adventure and fearless pursuit of new challenges.
The thrill of drifting
A brand ambassador for Volkswagen Middle East, Zainab’s love for cars doesn’t end with road trips. She’s also learned how to drift. An adrenaline junkie, she says she always enjoys the opportunity to explore new experiences. “My first opportunity to try drifting was in Dubai,” she recalls of the excitement of mastering this advanced skill. She then took it to the next level by drifting on ice in Sweden. “It was magical. Drifting on ice made me feel 100% alive.” However, Zainab stresses that drifting is a skill that must be mastered in a controlled environment, not on public roads.
Zainab’s social media content also highlights her love of exploring diverse cultures, especially through food. Her cooking videos, which showcase her learning about different countries’ cuisines from locals, have become part of her social media popularity. “We all love food… No matter where we come from, it’s amazing how much we can share through food.”
Zainab, who has appeared on the covers of popular magazines, believes that being a role model doesn’t just mean sharing your successes, but also being your authentic self. “I want to inspire others by being my authentic self,” she says. “I believe in sharing all aspects of my life – my love for sports, my road trips, my culinary experiments – so I don’t limit myself to one type of content. It’s okay to be multifaceted and embrace all parts of yourself.”
Giving back
Zainab is currently the face of a number of brands, but is also passionate about giving back to society, particularly People of Determination. “I strive to advocate for accessibility and support POD, not just at events but in everyday life as well. I am always happy to offer advice to people and their families who have recently experienced a disability.”
The influencer, who walked the runway at the Boss Autumn/Winter 2023 show during Milan Fashion Week, also shares beauty tips. But she said, “The most important tip is to love yourself – take care of yourself in a way that makes you happy.” “Even when I share branded content and promote products, I always make sure it’s something that’s genuinely helpful and provides great value to my audience.”
On the personal side, she is looking forward to adding another cat to her family: “Having a cat has taught me a lot about compassion and made me more sincere towards every soul. I am really excited to add another cat to my little family.”
Balancing multiple roles can be difficult, but Zainab has found a way to manage it. “It can be tough,” she admits, “but I make a schedule and I prioritize. But flexibility is key. Regardless of when, where, how, etc., it all works out in the end.”