"I want to be a doctor and help people with disabilities"
Anwar is 9 years old. Four years ago, as his family was fleeing the bombing in Sana'a, Yemen, his leg was hit by a shard of metal and amputated a few hours later.
Play session in the Sana'a rehabilitation centre | © HI
When Anwar was five, he suffered a serious leg injury as he tried to escape with his family and neighbours. When he refused to accept his new condition, Humanity and Inclusion helped him adapt to his new life.
The trauma of amputation
When he woke up in hospital and realised his leg had been amputated, Anwar began screaming. No one could calm his tears. He was inconsolable. He did not understand why his leg had disappeared and constantly asked relatives to have it back. Even after he was discharged from hospital, he was still in a lot of pain and very confused. At school, he cut himself off from his classmates and refused to take part in activities. The hospital provided him with a prosthesis, but it was too heavy, and he had to move around on crutches, which considerably reduced his mobility.
HI's support
When HI’s teams met Anwar a few months ago, the little boy was scared and withdrawn. Now the prospect of being fitted with a prosthesis his size has restored his hope. Aiman Al Mutawaki, a physiotherapist with HI’s teams at the Sana'a Rehabilitation Centre, takes special care of him. Anwar is particularly enthusiastic. He also receives age-appropriate psychological support. Therapy calms his anxiety and he feels better knowing he is not alone, and that other people have also had an amputation.
Anwar is more outgoing now and plays with children his own age. At school, he draws, plays football with his friends, and works very hard at his studies. "I want to be a doctor,” he says.
“I want to help people with disabilities and to support my family.”
