“I’d given up hope of living a normal life again"
Ahmed, 16, was injured by a bullet in the leg. Bedridden, he felt very lonely. Now HI is helping him to live a normal life again, like any other teenager.
Ahmad is care managed by HI's mobile team of partners in Gaza | © HI / Abedelrahman Abu Hassanien
Bullet wound
Ahmad was hit by a bullet below his right knee. It happened close to the border and he was rushed to hospital where he had four operations. Alone in bed, he was too afraid to use crutches, and his mother had to help him do everyday tasks. The teenager lives on the fourth floor, without a lift, so even the shortest journey was a challenge.
Loneliness
Ahmad withdrew into himself after his injury. He wanted to be alone so his family would not see that he was weak and unable to move. He sank into a depression and spent the Eid holidays away from his loved ones. He missed his family very much.
Talking “like they do in the films"
He now receives visits from a partner mobile team supported by HI. Their priority is to make sure he’s able to get out of bed and move around, and to do everyday tasks unaided and completely independently. The team began by teaching him to use the crutches given to him by HI.
This enabled Ahmad to return to school just two weeks after he was discharged from hospital. He can now put on his shoes alone and sees his family and friends again. The psychological assistance, also provided by the partners supported by HI, has put a smile back on his face and restored his confidence. Ahmad wants to be a civil engineer again and to improve his English, to talk “like they do in the films".
