Toddler takes first steps to a new life
• Lucie van den Berg
• From: Herald Sun
• February 17, 2011 12:00AM
Abdallah Mousah has been brought to Australia to have his legs straightened. Picture: David Caird Source: Herald Sun
IT'S a very simple wish - to see your toddler put on a pair of shoes and take his first steps.
For the moment, mother of eight Sanaa Mousah can only watch as her three-year-old is forced to use his knees as though they were his feet.
Abdallah, 3, was born with badly deformed legs that curl in towards each other, making it impossible for the Palestinian boy to wear shoes or stand up, let alone walk.
Today, he will meet the Victorian surgeon at Cabrini Health who will give him the chance to stand tall.
"I would like him to be able to wear shoes and play with his friends," Mrs Mousah said. But her little boy has higher hopes after the surgery, with his sights already set on playing soccer.
Abdallah, a shy boy who left his twin brother behind in Gaza, arrived in Melbourne on Saturday after an arduous journey.
He is one of five Palestinians, aged from three years to 19, here with Children First Foundation for life-changing treatment.
There was a major struggle to get the children out of Gaza after the Rafah border crossing into Egypt was closed when civil rebellion erupted in Cairo.
Australians Phillip Sacca and Farrah Mansour worked with Israeli and Jordanian authorities to transport the children from Gaza through Israel and into Jordan before they flew to Dubai and on to Australia.
Now they are here, under the care of CFF founder Moira Kelly at her Kilmore farm.
Belal Barbakh, 19, who suffered severe burns, has come back for a review of his treatment. Eman Tabaza, a 14-year-old girl, is to have more surgery to fix a skull defect. Mohammed Abushalhout, 14, and Suhail Al Ashi, 16, will have surgery to correct limb deformities and a cleft lip.
• Lucie van den Berg
• From: Herald Sun
• February 17, 2011 12:00AM
Abdallah Mousah has been brought to Australia to have his legs straightened. Picture: David Caird Source: Herald Sun
IT'S a very simple wish - to see your toddler put on a pair of shoes and take his first steps.
For the moment, mother of eight Sanaa Mousah can only watch as her three-year-old is forced to use his knees as though they were his feet.
Abdallah, 3, was born with badly deformed legs that curl in towards each other, making it impossible for the Palestinian boy to wear shoes or stand up, let alone walk.
Today, he will meet the Victorian surgeon at Cabrini Health who will give him the chance to stand tall.
"I would like him to be able to wear shoes and play with his friends," Mrs Mousah said. But her little boy has higher hopes after the surgery, with his sights already set on playing soccer.
Abdallah, a shy boy who left his twin brother behind in Gaza, arrived in Melbourne on Saturday after an arduous journey.
He is one of five Palestinians, aged from three years to 19, here with Children First Foundation for life-changing treatment.
There was a major struggle to get the children out of Gaza after the Rafah border crossing into Egypt was closed when civil rebellion erupted in Cairo.
Australians Phillip Sacca and Farrah Mansour worked with Israeli and Jordanian authorities to transport the children from Gaza through Israel and into Jordan before they flew to Dubai and on to Australia.
Now they are here, under the care of CFF founder Moira Kelly at her Kilmore farm.
Belal Barbakh, 19, who suffered severe burns, has come back for a review of his treatment. Eman Tabaza, a 14-year-old girl, is to have more surgery to fix a skull defect. Mohammed Abushalhout, 14, and Suhail Al Ashi, 16, will have surgery to correct limb deformities and a cleft lip.
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