Dubai: "Every day I am feeling so much stronger," Yousuf Halahla says while enjoying lunch at a packed mall in Dubai.
It has now been almost one month since he underwent surgery to correct the severe deformity in his legs that left him barely able to walk. Although he remains in a wheelchair when venturing outside, Yousuf, 13, is now strong enough to get around his hotel on crutches and is amazed at how his once bent legs are almost completely straight.
While slowly getting used to his new appearance, he is still taken aback by the glaring differences between his home in Palestine and the UAE.
"Where I come from, you can't even travel from village to village because of the checkpoints and soldiers. Here I can go from emirate to emirate if I want, and even to other countries. Also when I was in Palestine, I couldn't walk far, so I never went out very much. Now I feel my health coming back."
Just as Yousuf's spirits improve, so too do his legs, which remain in the brace-like 'external fixatures' designed to slowly correct his deformity.
Mohammad Makki, Yousuf's physiotherapist at the International Modern Hospital, says that his improvement so far is very good.
"We are working to improve his strength and flexibility and he is progressing quickly. Yousuf is very positive about his recovery, especially as he can now actually see the improvement," he told Gulf News.
Meanwhile, Nadia Wehbe, of the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) says that while people have given graciously, they still lack volunteers.
"The fact is that Yousuf and his mum have been away from their family for some time now, and it would be nice for them to be able to visit families here."
Nadia Wehbe of PCRF says that as soon as Yousuf is given the all clear by the doctors, she is taking him jet skiing.
"The first time he ever went to the beach was in Dubai, but since his operation he has not been able to go back," she told Gulf News.
"To celebrate his recovery, I have promised that I am going to take him on a jet ski. He has no idea what it is, so I am describing it to him as a 'motorbike in the water,' but I am not sure that he believes me."
In the meantime, Yousuf has only one main wish. Above all else, he would really like a computer. "I am eager to learn how to use a computer while I am waiting for my legs to heal."
To contact PCRF, Nadia Wehbe can be called on 050 6247263
