In Syria makeshift center offers hope to paralysed

In Syria makeshift center offers hope to paralysed

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Ziad, a paralysed 14-year-old boy, often stays alone in his room as bombs fall on Douma, the main rebel-stronghold in eastern Ghouta on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus.

Limited in scope, number and size, there are no nearby shelters equipped to receive Ziad who cannot be moved quickly or easily during airstrikes because of his spinal injuries.

. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

"The shelters are not ready to accept people like me," he said.

Until last year, treatment options were limited for spinal patients caught in a brutal civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced more than 11 million.

. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Now, the Specialist Centre for the Rehabilitation and Care of Spinal Cord provides physical and psychological treatment.

. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

There are an estimated 500 people with spinal injuries in eastern Ghouta, almost all casualties of the six-year war. The centre, currently funded entirely by donations, can treat 12 patients at a time for a course of three to six months.

. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh
Hussein, 35, gets help to go to the rehabilitation center.

Khalid Al-Hallaj, a physiotherapist who runs the centre, says obstacles to rehabilitating patients in the midst of the conflict are formidable.

. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Supplies are scarce, especially mobility chairs and physiotherapy exercise equipment. The makeshift centre also lacks adequate facilities to receive patients, with only one entrance for wheelchairs and no safety exits or shelters in case of shelling.

. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Al-Hallaj also struggles to transfer patients to and from the centre because he lacks vehicles equipped to transport them. Paralysed patients, often battling poor mental health, tend to live at home where they feel more comfortable.

"Many people suffer psychological trauma after an injury, which makes them come late to treatment. This worsens their condition and prolongs the time it takes to treat them," he said.

. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Unlike most patients, Abu Zeid lives inside the centre. After his injury, the 23-year-old, whose family lives in a government-controlled area, tried to commit suicide as he struggled to cope with extreme physical pain and come to terms with needing help for basic self-care.

Deep, crater-like scars on Abu Zeid's arms are a reminder of what he endured and a marked contrast with his condition today. Having received treatment, Abu Zeid now has limited mobility, can visit the toilet by himself and is even hopeful he will walk again.

"The doctors say I will walk again, but I need to be patient and exercise a lot," he said.

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Slideshow

Obeida, 18, a medic at the rehabilitation center, walks inside a patient's house to take him to the center.
. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Obeida, 18, a medic at the rehabilitation center, walks inside a patient's house to take him to the center.

Ziad gets help to enter the rehabilitation center.
. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Ziad gets help to enter the rehabilitation center.

Abu Yassin, 47, arrives at the rehabilitation center.
. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Abu Yassin, 47, arrives at the rehabilitation center.

Abu Yassin attends a physiotherapy session.
. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Abu Yassin attends a physiotherapy session.

Dumbbells and a stuffed toy are seen inside the rehabilitation center.
. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Dumbbells and a stuffed toy are seen inside the rehabilitation center.

Ahmed, 20, attends a therapy session.
. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Ahmed, 20, attends a therapy session.

Ayman, 24, attends a training session.
. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Ayman, 24, attends a training session.

Haitham, 35, who sustained a spinal cord injury during the conflict in Syria that left him paralysed, is seen at the rehabilitation center.
. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Haitham, 35, who sustained a spinal cord injury during the conflict in Syria that left him paralysed, is seen at the rehabilitation center.

Mohamed warms himself in the sun outside the rehabilitation center.
. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Mohamed warms himself in the sun outside the rehabilitation center.

Patients sit in wheelchairs at the rehabilitation center.
. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Patients sit in wheelchairs at the rehabilitation center.

Ayman, 24, attends a lesson at the rehabilitation center.
. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Ayman, 24, attends a lesson at the rehabilitation center.

Ziad prays at a mosque.
. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Ziad prays at a mosque.

Fouad, 20, works at an amusement park after completing a therapy cycle.
. Damascus, SYRIA. Reuters/Bassam Khabieh

Fouad, 20, works at an amusement park after completing a therapy cycle.