Determined to not be so different from her peers, Ilyana an eight-year-old girl from Nahr El-Bared camp is determined to walk.
We are taught to embrace differences but what if your difference was Myo fibrosis?
Ilyana has been struggling since birth in pursuit of moving. She has had multiple surgeries and attends physiotherapy regularly to strengthen her muscles, stay on her feet, and even climb stairs... but some things are beyond therapy. Nadia's mom says that her main issue is being susceptible to falling flat on her face all the time. “She has limited reflexes and needs assistance all the time. This is why I’m so grateful for her friends at school who help her buy food during lunchtime and sit with her during the break. It's an immense support system to my girl.”
Nadia further explains how tough it’s been as a family because she has yet another son who suffers from the same disease.
“It hurts to know that my daughter won’t grow up as other girls and will be deprived of many activities as she grows. She’s smart and capable and is able to assist her own needs” Nadia chokes up.
Specialists confirm that physiotherapy is Ilyana’s only solution to keep moving and live a normal life as much as she can.
Therapy sessions are provided to Ilyana and about 90 children in Beddawi and Nahr El-Bared camps as part of a project implemented by Taawon in partnership with the Community Based Rehabilitation Association (CBRA), with the support of the Danish Islamic Aid (DMA).
