Omar’s Case Management Story - A new wheelchair and the power of a mother’s love
7-year-old Omar* lives in a camp in Idlib with his family. He was registered in SARD’s Case Management initiative, providing children and family units as a whole with comprehensive support and emergency case funds.
*Name has been changed to protect privacy
Omar suffers from a disability preventing him from moving on his own, he explained, “Due to the disability that I have had since childhood, I couldn’t get around or move from one place to another. My family, being displaced because of war couldn’t provide me with much help. It made me sad to watch other children play when I couldn’t participate. My mom carried me on her back and took me to the places I enjoyed the most….”
Since Omar is not mobile on his own, his mother has always carried him everywhere he needed to go. As he grew older, this became more difficult and eventually caused her to sustain a back injury. With no feasible alternatives and despite the injury, Omar’s mother continued to carry him.
Omar told us: “I felt sad and powerless to see her hurting because of me. My mom kept smiling and reassuring me, all while continuing to sacrifice herself for my own wellbeing. These moments made me feel important, like someone truly cared about me. I understood how valuable it is to have her with me, I see my mom as the greatest hero of my life.”
Omar’s obvious admiration for his mother is a beautiful testament to the power of a mother’s love. It was our privilege to support them and provide Omar with a much needed wheelchair and medical treatment. His mother also received training on how to best support Omar best with his special needs.
In his mother’s own words: “Thanks to their support, my child was able to undergo medical treatment he desperately needed. Besides, we received a new wheelchair, which allowed my child to move around more freely. SARD organized awareness-raising sessions on the importance of childcare and hygiene for children, which allowed me to take better care of my child, and the special needs he requires. I sincerely thank SARD and all those who collaborated with them for their precious support.”
Since beginning his treatment and receiving a wheelchair, Omar's psychological and physical health have improved. Both he and his mother now enjoy the gift of enhanced mobility. It’s evident to all of us that without his mother's unwavering love and determination, we wouldn't see the progress Omar has made today. She is truly a hero.
His mother tells us, “Our lives were very positively impacted thanks to SARD’s support. It brought us hope and joy during hard times. My child’s life was greatly improved. The medical treatment changed his life and had an even more positive impact on his psychological wellbeing. He has been improving day by day. As a mother I am relieved and happy to see my child smiling again and seeing him feel happy and hopeful.”
We would like to sincerely thank our donors, who helped make this project possible. There are many other children like Omar who need critical support. If you would like to help us have a larger impact on the communities we serve, please consider donating below.