Empowering 80 people with disabilities in Iraq

Operation Mercy has served around 80 clients last two months.For five clients X-rays and MRI's had to be made in order to know the correct diagnosis and prescribe exercises that would benefit them. Amongst many other small devices, two wheelchairs, three walkers, two strollers, and two toilet chairs were given out.

Through the physical therapy many improvements are seen. This is the story of one boy, Ahmad.

Every month our staff visits Ahmad, a thirteen year old Syrian refugee with a sweet smile. They spend time with him and his caretakers, listen to their joys and difficulties and help the boy do exercises to increase his mobility.

Two years ago Ahmad lost his right arm and leg when a bomb exploded in Syria. His family fled, and sought refuge in the Kurdish Region of Iraq, where we met Ahmad. As a result of his trauma and the disability, Ahmad wouldn’t talk to many people. He was sad all the time, had no friends and seldom smiled.

– but now things have changed for him and his family.

They still live in the camp and experience the same difficulties as thousands of others. However, through our mobility project, they were able to receive love, compassion and a listing ear, as well as have a prosthetic leg made and fitted for their son! Now that he has the leg, Ahmad can walk wherever he wants, go see whomever he misses and play whenever he feels like it. He now wants to continue his education, as he is able to go to school again by himself.

Our staff continue to visit the family and are encouraged to see the change in his ability to walk and his emotional wellbeing. In the words of the project coordinator: “The most beautiful thing is the big smile on his face”.