By Maarten de Wolf | Project Manager
Let me tell you this story about a boy called Haitham*. Haitham lives in an internally displaced people (IDP) camp. He is seven years old and has hydrocephalus, a condition where there is too much liquid in the head, which causes severe pressure to the brain. Because of this, motor skills are significantly decreased, so in the case of Haitham, simple daily activities as getting up, walking, or going to toilet are a big challenge.
About a year ago, Operation Mercy started doing weekly home visits to his family. At first, he could neither walk without support, nor keep his balance when standing upright. During our first visits and talks with the family, we realized that the family had no hope he’d ever improve. So, we encouraged them in saying that the exercises will help him grow and improve his physical capabilities.
After about three months his family started to see progress. At one point they said “You were right! Through the treatment and the exercises our son is truly improving. He’s now beginning to stand on both of his legs – all by himself!”
We continued our weekly follow-ups and kept on encouraging the boy and his family. Nowadays, he stands without support and can walk three to four steps by himself. It’s worth mentioning that his balance has been greatly improving as well. But most of all we sense that he now has a hope stored in his heart he did not have before. We can tell a difference in the way he’s interacting with us and with others in his surroundings. He exudes joy and is eagerly awaiting our visit week by week.
* Not his real name
By Maarten de Wolf | Project Manager
By Maarten de Wolf | Project Manager
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