Sulaiman Khan
London
Sulaiman is a regional ambassador for London
What is your name?
Sulaiman Khan.
How old are you?
27
Where do you live?
Woodford Green, East London.
YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH TRAILBLAZERS:
How did you first hear about Trailblazers?
After reading about the Trailblazers Launch in Target MD in July 2008, I decided I wanted to get involved. So, after I e-mailed Bobby (Trailblazers Project Manager) in August 2008, I started working with the network and became London Regional Ambassador. I also started to work with the Press & Communication Team of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign as an Independent Creative. And I enjoy every minute of it.
Why did you get involved with Trailblazers?
I have MDC1A (merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy) and severe scoliosis.
I have always been very passionate about volunteering and helping society as much as I am physically able to, but I've never had this opportunity in the past because I have had many health issues. Trailblazers/Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is a great way for me to do this because unlike the MDA in America (who totally just spend all their funds only on research and really don’t help patients, from my personal experience) we are making a real, positive impact into disabled people's lives in the UK, especially those with neuromuscular diseases.
If there was one thing I could change or achieve, it would be...
Probably, the fact that I can't do everything that I would like to do for too long since I fatigue quite easily, not being able to go anywhere by myself and not being able to go anywhere spontaneously without having to plan everything in such great advance.
LET’S FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU!:
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
I would love to spend the day with Jonathan Ive, a British designer and the Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple Inc. This guy is a genius! He basically single-handily was the principal designer of the iMac, aluminum and titanium PowerBook G4, MacBook, unibody MacBook Pro, iPod and iPhone; and he is internationally renowned for his work.
Spending the day with him would so interesting because he has changed the way people communicate and share our lives together, and I'd love to hear how he comes up with such great designs and has ideas for the next amazing device, especially since he's from East London too. Mr. Ive is truly a revolutionary and has a great forward thinking ability to create designs that deserve to have their own exhibition at the V & A in Kensington.
Favourite food/drink
Difficult question. Well, most likely I would have to say my mum's homemade lasagna and her salads (she is the queen of salads). She is just the most amazing cook ever! San Pellegrino Sparkling Water or green tea, when I'm not feeling well.
Favourite ice cream flavour
Vanilla. But, when I got a few quid to spare (hardly ever) anything from Häagen-Dazs or Gü puddings.
Favourite TV show/movie
To name a few: any Eddie Izzard stand-up; The Mighty Boosh; The IT Crowed; anything w/ John Cleese, Little Britain, ER, Firefly - The Complete Series and Agatha Christie's Poirot. Though, my current favourites are Game of Thrones, QI, The Thick of It, Sherlock, Russell Howard's Good News, Fresh Meat, Many more but there's too many to list.
QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS:
Rock or Rap?
I have quite an eclectic taste in music. I listen to everything from King of Leon to Arctic Monkeys; from Muse to The Strokes; from Adele to Ed Sheeran; from Nina Simone to The Beatles; from Foo Fighters to Fatoumata Diawara; from The Who to Ravi Shankar; from Chinese Opera to The Dhol Foundation; from Eminem to Michael Bublé; from Louis Armstrong to Green Day; from Grace Jones to Radiohead; and from Bob Marley to Bob Dylan, etc. Though, I particularly like to discover new artists such as AlunaGeorge, Laura Mvula, Jake Bugg and Lianne La Havas for example.
Cheese or Chocolate?
Cheese, especially on croissants with hot chocolate. It is to die for!
Rom-com or Thriller?
Neither. I like independent and foreign films. I especially like "Sound City" directed by Dave Grohl, "The Science of Sleep" directed by Michel Gondry and "Spirited Away" directed by Hayao Miyazaki. I think they're three visually stunning films by three amazing directors...
ANY LAST WORDS?
“FEAR does not take me: I take the FEAR.” - Sulaiman Khan