Goto main content

Gina: “I can walk on my own again and without pain.”

Rehabilitation
Jordan

Gina,13, lives in Jordan. With the help of Humanity & Inclusion, she has received surgery and rehabilitation treatment for a hip deformity. Today, she can walk without difficulty and is back at school.

Caption: Gina during a rehabilitation session at the community development centre in Zarka, Jordan, with her physiotherapist

Caption: Gina during a rehabilitation session at the community development centre in Zarka, Jordan, with her physiotherapist. | © HI

Arrival in Jordan

Gina has one brother and one sister. Her whole family fled Syria in 2014 to escape the war and seek refuge in Zarka, Jordan. Their journey was a difficult one. The family had to walk for hours along poor roads.

Once in Jordan, Gina's parents noticed that she was limping and in pain when she walked. Gina consulted an orthopaedic doctor and was diagnosed with hip dysplasia.

“Going to school was very difficult, because my classroom is on the second floor and it was painful to climb the stairs.”

Gina.

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) support

In November 2021, with HI’s support, Gina had successful hip surgery, which was followed by six weeks at home in a cast.

Gina during a rehabilitation session, performing an obstacle course exercise.She then received rehabilitation treatment three times a week at the Zarka Community Development Centre, HI's local partner. She also did exercises at home.

Her rehabilitation sessions involved strength and balance training and range of motion exercises.

At first, she couldn’t walk on her own and used a walker for short trips and a wheelchair for longer ones.

As her caregiver, Gina's mother was given advice on how to assist her with her day-to-day activities at home.

Encouraging progress

Three months after starting her rehabilitation exercises, Gina was walking on her own again.

“The home exercises were very effective. Now I can walk on my own again - and without pain.”

Gina.

Gina's new life

“I like to stay at home with my family during the summer holidays. We all cook together and sometimes we go swimming. I love that.”Gina.

Gina is ambitious. She is learning Spanish and hopes to be fluent one day. She dreams of being a vet and helping all the animals.

Date published: 29/09/22

COUNTRIES

Where we work

Read more

HI provides aid in 94 shelters in Gaza
© HI
Emergency Rehabilitation

HI provides aid in 94 shelters in Gaza

HI and partners have distributed aid to more than 3,500 people since October 7 in Gaza.

My first steps in five years
© HI
Rehabilitation

My first steps in five years

Abed lost both of his legs in a mine accident in 2018 in Syria. Access to HI rehabilitation services has changed his life.

Morocco earthquake: Survivors in need of shelter
© Bulent Kilic / AFP
Emergency Health Rehabilitation

Morocco earthquake: Survivors in need of shelter

Almost a week after the earthquake, the figures are alarming: more than 380,000 people have been affected by the disaster, including thousands who are homeless.

FOLLOW US