Wissal (Syria)
Wissal, born in Syria in 1967, contracted polio as a child with severe scoliosis (curvature of the spine). She came to Switzerland in the 1980s through the children's charity "Terre des hommes" and was treated at the Balgrist Clinic over a long period of time. Her back was stretched as much as possible until an operation could be performed and a rod was attached to her spine (Harrington Rod) so that the vertebrae were fixed in place.
In 2003, the rod had to be removed and Wissal was operated in Ammann/Jordan by a well-known surgeon, Dr. Khaled Ibrahim. He worked in Chicago and came to Jordan once or twice a year to perform particularly difficult operations. In this operation, Wissal had several vertebrae fused. As Terre des hommes does not cover the costs for adults, "we care" stepped in and paid the high costs.
Wissal now lives in Egypt and unfortunately fell last year. She suffered a fractured neck of femur. Again, an operation and a long rehabilitation was necessary, which is still ongoing (as of February 2024). "We care" paid for the operation and will also finance the further rehabilitation process.
Update January 2025
Wissal's wheelchair was in such a bad condition due to old age that it could no longer be repaired. We care has financed a new wheelchair with a motor for her.
As a result of arthritis in both hands, probably caused by the heavy strain of moving the wheelchair, she was also only able to use the old wheelchair with great pain and was dependent on help. Wissal is very happy to have regained a new sense of freedom.
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