"Meeting other amputees has given me hope"

Ahed is diabetic. He lost his leg after suffering complications. He is now rebuilding his life thanks to rehabilitation sessions and group therapy at the Zarqa centre in Jordan.

Ahed does rehabilitation exercises at the Zarqa Rehabilitation Centre | ©Oriane van den Broeck / HI

Life after an amputation

A year ago, Ahed had to have his right leg amputated. Since then, Manal, a physiotherapist at the Zarqa Rehabilitation Centre in Jordan has helped him learn to walk again. She has also taught him exercises to strengthen his leg muscles at home.

The sessions have enabled Ahed to keep his balance and move around on crutches. "I thought it would take me at least three years to walk again but it took me just four months," says Ahed.

Personalised rehabilitation programme

The partnership between the Zarqa centre and Humanity & Inclusion has enabled Ahed to benefit from many services free of charge, such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, the orthopaedic fitting of his prosthesis and psychological support, as part of the comprehensive support HI provides to patients.

For HI, it is important to organise rehabilitation programmes in consultation with patients, starting with his or her motivation and goals. Ahed is already in a much better condition psychologically. The team describes him as a new man:

"At first, I wasn’t at all motivated. I felt there was nothing that could be done. But everything has changed and today I know I can do anything. I could even run if I wanted to," adds Ahed.

Group therapy

HI organises group therapy sessions. They give patients with the same disorders the chance to meet each other. Ahed has come out of his shell and met other people in a similar situation.

The group’s members realised Ahed’s amputation was causing him a lot of distress. They encouraged him to continue with his rehabilitation sessions and visited him to cheer him up. The group gives amputee patients the chance to witness each stage in the rehabilitation process and to see the practical steps people take to achieve their goals.

Restoring self-confidence

"I wanted to be like everyone else, to socialise and get out of the house. But right after my amputation my health got worse and I had to start dialysis to keep my kidneys functioning. I was depressed. When I met other amputee patients, I felt much more motivated. I thought: if he can walk, why can't I?" explains Ahed.

Thanks to his physiotherapy sessions and orthopaedic devices, Ahed can now move around by himself.

Date published: 09/04/19