“It’s wonderful to see her move around and interact with people”

When Firial arrives at the rehabilitation center in Zarqa, she looks really keen to begin her new session. As the organization’s physical therapist, Manal, walks towards her, the little girl beams with joy. Manal and Firial know each other well. In fact, this is their twentieth rehabilitation session together.

Hamzeh, one of HI’s professionals, comments: “Firial’s story is very inspiring. I’ve rarely seen a girl who loves doing her physical therapy exercises so much and who has progressed this fast. It really encourages us to continue doing what we’re doing.” Tamam, the Firial’s mother, agrees: “When we heard that my daughter had Down’s syndrome, we didn’t think anything could be done to help her get better. Then, one day, someone told me about this center. I didn’t even know what physical therapy was. The first time we came here, my daughter couldn’t stand up and she found it really hard to communicate with us. These weekly rehabilitation sessions have totally changed our day-to-day lives. It’s wonderful to see her move around and interact with people. It’s given us hope again.”

Hamzeh and Manal begin a series of exercises with Firial, under Tamam’s watchful eye. “Today we’re going to see if Firial can take some more steps without falling,” says the center’s physical therapist. “She can already take five steps, which she couldn’t before. Her balance is improving with time. We want her to be fully independent in the future, and I think we’ll manage that. I’m sure she’ll be able to walk by herself in a few months’ time.”

Firial blows in her hands and sends her mother a kiss. “See - that’s new too,” says Tamam with a smile. “These physical therapy sessions haven’t just improved her ability to move around, they also help her interact and share things with us.” Firial’s mother is now determined to ensure the best possible future for her daughter. The rehabilitation sessions have opened up new opportunities to her. “I want her to be happy and to feel accepted for who she is - at school and at home. I think the physical therapy is going to help with that and make it easier for her to live her life. I’ve realized that when a child has Down’s syndrome, that’s not the end of the story. I would really like my daughter to realize her full potential. Firial is bright and loving. She has a lot to offer us and the people who cross her path.”

Learn more: Implemented by HI in Jordan in 2017, this project provides support to various health centers in the country, by donating equipment and training their employees in rehabilitation techniques. This project gives priority to a community-based rehabilitation (CBR) approach. HI identifies volunteers from communities and camps who themselves then identify potential beneficiaries, assess their needs and direct them to health centers where they can receive free treatment. Handicap International’s equity fund program also allows the organization to provide direct financial support to people who use the center. The organization pays for their transport when they need to travel for rehabilitation care. This is extremely important as the cost of services such as physical therapy and transportation are among the biggest obstacles to accessing quality care in Jordan.