Yousif, a 4-year-old diagnosed with spina bifida, lay curled up in the corner of the living room floor. The doctors had told his family to give up hope—he was disabled and would remain that way for the rest of his life. To make matters worse, some relatives insulted Yousif, calling him degrading names like "idiot" and "stupid." His family was desperate for help and hope.
Their dream was to see him walk and attend school, but for the first four years of his life, Yousif had only been able to crawl. In alignment with Operation Mercy’s principles, a physical therapist spoke to Yousif about his value and worth. The entire family was moved to tears, as they had never encountered a doctor who treated their son with such dignity and respect.
Over the course of several weeks of therapy, the family's entire outlook changed. As Yousif progressed through his exercises, he made significant improvements in his range of motion and mobility. He could now pull himself to stand, walk on his knees, and strengthen his legs in preparation for an upcoming surgery. This surgery will correct deformities in his feet caused by a lack of early therapy and education.
To increase his independence and curiosity about different forms of mobility—especially outside the home—we provided Yousif with a wheelchair until his surgery, after which the focus will shift to walking. This new form of mobility gave him a sense of freedom and inspired him to explore new ways of moving around the house, including attempts at walking.
His family now engages in meaningful play with him and offers positive affirmations. They see his progress and are excited about his future. At each visit, they express their gratitude and anticipation, eager to see what further improvements Yousif will make.
