Wheel with Keshta: A New Show that Sheds Light on People with Disabilities

• Reporters: Karim Hassan and Ammar Heidar
• Image courtesy of Amr Keshta

Management of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) alum Amr Keshta reached his biggest milestone yet when he hosted “Wheel With Keshta,” a show he designed and produced to spread awareness about the challenges that individuals with disabilities face.

The show’s October 29 debut highlighted the importance of inclusion and the need for accessible spaces for all, bringing together a community dedicated to disability, advocacy and support.

Keshta’s life, particularly as an undergrad at AUC, is itself a testament to overcoming adversity. During his university years, he created content on Instagram and TikTok about his life and journey as an individual with Dystonia—a movement disorder caused by involuntary muscle contractions, which he began physiotherapy for at the age of eleven months.

His experience inspired him to create a project that raises awareness about his disability. Keshta first thought of the idea for his show four years ago and began to work in earnest in his junior year to produce it and create content.

He says he drew inspiration from his role model, Emirati entrepreneur and interviewer Anas Bukhash; known for addressing mental health issues and delving into his guests’ emotional and psychological well-being through his famous podcast, ABTalks.

“The show’s concept is innovative— it’s a first-of-its-kind experience where celebrities and influencers like Lilly Samy, Youssef Othman, Mohamed Mekawy, and Youssef Gabriel take on the challenges of navigating life in a wheelchair. They will face exciting challenges such as playing basketball, attending class, racing, and engaging in other fun, surprising activities,” Keshta told The Caravan.

At the end of every episode, Keshta conducts a short interview with each guest, reflecting on their experience using the wheelchair.

“I aimed to create the same atmosphere for guests, placing them in my position so that people can understand, from their perspective, how difficult this experience truly is,” Keshta added.

As Keshta’s baby-steps started evolving into major milestones, he was caught up in an emotional roller coaster between excitement and anxiety.

“Although I felt stressed about filming and producing my own show, I was thrilled by the opportunity to work on something new,” he said.

When pitched to AUC, Keshta’s project was generally supported by faculty.

“When Amr approached us with the ‘Wheel with Me’ project, we were eager to support it as it aligns with AUC’s commitment to inclusivity and raising awareness for people with disabilities,” said Hanan Omary, Executive Director of AUC’s Office of Marketing Communication and Public Affairs.

She added that his creative vision plays a key role in shaping the show’s unique format.

“AUC is always keen to support and showcase our alumni’s achievements throughout their careers. We take pride in their success and are always open to collaborating on projects that highlight their contributions and impact,” Omary remarked.

Malak Ehab, an AUC alumna and Keshta’s best friend, says that he has always been determined to think outside the box.

“When Amr shared his idea for a show supporting people with disabilities, all his friends encouraged him to pursue it. Despite lacking professional experience, he used his talent for video editing and scriptwriting to embark on a long journey to produce the show,” Ehab recalls.

The debut event held at District 5 featured three panels, each focusing on various aspects of accessibility and inclusion, led by notable figures in the field. Guiding the discussions was Multimedia Communications and Journalism senior and host Jana Alawady.

Speakers included Dahlia Soliman, Founder and President of The Egyptian Autistic Society; Hadeel Mahmoud, Disability and Accessibility Specialist at AUC’s Student Accessibility Services; and Omar Khaled, Business Development Executive at Black Ball, as well as the CEO and Founder of OKZ Foundation and Sports Management.

One of the prominent guest speakers at the event was Youssra Mokhtar, Managing Director at “Dialogue In The Dark”, an exhibition in which participants’ journeys are guided by visually impaired individuals.

“I met Amr last winter at the Creative Summit and was truly impressed with his work on social media. So when he invited me to this event to support him by speaking about disabilities, I was honored,” Mokhtar told The Caravan.

She emphasized the importance of focusing on one’s abilities rather than disabilities, noting that people with visual impairment, for example, often connect with the world through heightened senses like smell, touch, and intuition.

“If there is ability, then there is no disability—you are a person with special abilities,” Mokhtar added.

In the meantime, show guest Othman told The Caravan that he faced several challenges while on the wheelchair, like navigating ramps and opening classroom doors or picking up items from tables.

Despite being surrounded by people, no one offered assistance, which he found distressing.

“I feel that Amr interacts with everyone naturally, just as he is. He doesn’t want anyone to treat him differently or with pity just because he uses a wheelchair, and that’s exactly right—he’s a normal person, just like anyone else,” he added.

Journalism and Mass Communication alum Mekawy, also found it challenging maneuvering in a wheelchair, even falling backwards on the first day of shooting.

“I believe operating a wheelchair requires considerable physical strength, and moving around in it all day was exhausting,” Mekawy recalled.

A new episode airs on AUC’s TikTok and Instagram accounts every Thursday.