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HI helps mine survivor Ismail to live with dignity again

Explosive weapons Inclusion Rehabilitation
Lebanon

Ismail lives in Lebanon with his family. He comes from Syria and lost both legs in a landmine explosion at the age of 14. Humanity & Inclusion is now helping him to walk again with his new prostheses.

Ismail is pleased with his new prostheses

Ismail is pleased with his new prostheses | © HI

Injured by an anti-personnel mine in 2014, Ismael had to have both legs amputated above the knee. The accident turned his life upside down and left him feeling excluded. Without adapted prostheses, he relies on others and is unable to do daily activities.

Now 17, Ismail grew out of his last pair of prostheses, which became too small for him. He needed new ones.

“Because Ismail’s prostheses were too small, they were uncomfortable and could have caused him complications, preventing him from moving around without help,"

explains Humanity & Inclusion (HI) physiotherapist Rana Al Adbel.

HI's rehabilitation team assessed Ismail's physical condition and provided him with new prostheses adapted to his size, enabling him to continue walking and do his daily activities.

Living with dignity

Ismail lives with his parents and five siblings aged five to twenty-seven in a very isolated and inaccessible rural area.

They have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and they can no longer afford to buy essential items, such as food.

As the situation is still unstable and dangerous in his home region, Ismail does not wish to return to live in Syria.

He prefers to start a training course and find a stable job.

"I want to earn enough money for my family to live with dignity,"

he says.

Date published: 22/09/20

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