Jordanian teen gets prosthetic legs from Dubai charities

A Jordanian teenager whose legs were amputated after an accident received a successful prosthetic rehabilitation at Dubai Healthcare City.

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A Jordanian teenager who received artificial limbs when her legs were amputated after an accident has delighted parents and doctors with her progress.

Suha Bashayreh, 15, was severely injured in a road accident in 2007. She was provided with prostheses at Dubai Healthcare City after funds were raised by 7EmiratesRun and Al Jalila Foundation.

She received therapy in how to use her new limbs, how to balance and change fittings.

Suha’s case was handled by a team of healthcare professionals and has been supported by donors during the past six years. She first visited German Limbtech Orthopaedic Technology Centre at DHCC in May 2009 and returned in 2010, 2014 and this year.

In April, Suha, accompanied by her father, Yousef, finished a three-week rehabilitation programme that included new sockets and liners for the prostheses, plus walking and balance training.

“The availability of cutting edge medical devices is integral to improving a patient’s quality of life,” said Dr Fatma Al Sharaf, senior manager at DHCC. “We are committed to increasing access to global expertise.”

Mr Bashayreh said he felt helpless after his daughter had the accident.

“She couldn’t walk. I was worried about her future and her plans to become a doctor. It pained me to see her grow out of her artificial legs and be forced to walk on her stumps.”

With a modest income to provide for his family of nine children, and limited access to medical services, the support from the 7EmiratesRun team and Al Jalila Foundation gave him hope.

“I am deeply grateful to see my little girl smile again,” he said. “She was barely 10 when she lost her legs.”

Prostheses need to be replaced as a child grows and a prosthetic leg can cost more than Dh80,000.

It is estimated that for ages 12 to 21, a new prosthesis is needed once every three to four years, along with training to relearn necessary skills.

“Check-ups should be done after six to eight months because children like Suha are in a very high mobility class, and experience difficulty as they grow,” said Wendelin Lauxen, director of patient care at the centre.

“We hope that Suha’s story will inspire more support to help individuals with limb deformities.”

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