‘I try to touch the lives of others’

Five years ago Dareen Barbar — out of shape while recovering from a broken hip — decided she wanted to live life on her terms.

The Lebanese mum-of-two was 15 when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer that led to her left leg being amputated above the knee. Fate intervened a second time and she met with an accident that left her with a broken hip.

The challenge of her recovery inspired her to begin training as an athlete, and that is when life took a different turn. Today, Barbar — who commenced training seriously in July — will lead Team Jalila at Dubai Women’s Triathlon. “I see my purpose in life as I try to touch the lives of others while inspiring them,” Barbar told