A Journey Toward Hope
Ibrahim is a child who has not yet been precisely diagnosed, but his journey with challenges began in his earliest days of life. His mother recalls, “He wouldn’t respond well to any kind of milk and would vomit constantly. That was the first problem I noticed. Then I began to see that he wasn’t like other children his age.”
The mother began a long search to uncover the cause of his condition. She took him to several doctors and was referred to Al-Maqasid Hospital for tests, but the results showed no clear issue. However, doctors noticed muscle stiffness, and the diagnosis remained unclear from one physician to another. Eventually, one doctor recommended visiting Dr. Waddah Malhees, who referred the family to the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre.
The mother says, “I didn’t know what physical therapy meant. My first visit to the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre was full of new experiences. I had never seen cases like those before. Honestly, I was scared and didn’t understand what was being done with my child.”
The first phase of therapy was very difficult for her, as Ibrahim was still undiagnosed, making it hard for the therapists to determine his potential or expected progress. “Every moment was hard. I didn’t know whether my child would be able to walk or not. The unknown was the hardest part.”
She adds that life for the whole family completely changed: “Our home, our daughters, and our entire routine changed. My husband and I were mentally exhausted, but we forgot all the tiredness when we looked into his eyes.”
Ibrahim began his physiotherapy sessions at a very young age, marking the first step in a long rehabilitation journey. “During the first admission, I was pregnant, but despite the exhaustion, I didn’t give up. The support I received from the JPBC team provided me with full and comprehensive encouragement.”
She learned about the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre through Dr. Malhees during one of his field visits to a partner center. There, she met the social worker who offered her significant psychological and emotional support. “The social worker helped me organize my time between home, therapy, and my other children. I always left her sessions feeling calm and supported.”
At the Centre, Ibrahim received a variety of services, including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, as well as recreational and musical programs. Gradually, the results began to show.
“My son couldn’t move his body at all, but now he walks with support, speaks, and eats independently. Soon we’ll enroll him in school. I feel proud because he started from zero and is now doing very well. Even for me personally, every visit to the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre changes something in me for the better.”
She continues, “I learned how to deal with my son in all situations and how to apply the therapy techniques at home. I used to be unaware of many things, but today I’ve become a stronger mother.”
In her message to other mothers, she says, “Be patient and take care of your mental well-being so you can continue. I went through a very difficult emotional phase, but I decided to overcome it for Ibrahim and for my entire family.”
The mother concludes that she will continue supporting Ibrahim until he achieves all his dreams, describing herself as a patient and strong mother:
“My children taught me how to be strong. I never knew I could be this strong.”
