Stories from Al Basma Club for the Disabled
Al Basma serves 150 club members of all ages and abilities. Five of them generously shared their stories with us.
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The young man to the left is Muhammad Hussein. A deaf 24-year old, Muhammad’s family gave him the option of marrying an able-bodied cousin. He refused, and instead married a woman who is also from the deaf community. They are now the proud parents of a wonderful non-deaf 1-year old girl.
Muhammad’s deafness means that he is not always accepted by the larger society, and as a result he has had trouble landing a job. He dreams of being able to support his family and leading a dignified life. As an accomplished player on Al Basma’s deaf soccer team, he hopes to represent his country in regional and international tournaments. Back to More Than Chocolates For Gaza |
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“I am Yasmin, a deaf girl aged 11 years. I live in Beit Lahya city. During my early childhood, the kids around me banned me and they used to prevent me from playing because I was unable to hear or understand them. I started to stay alone in my house, playing and doing my things alone. I used to not speak to anybody except my family about my basic needs.
When I became 7 years old, my family brought me to the school for the deaf. Then, a new life started. In the school, I saw kids with the same disability and I began communicating with ‘my community’. With the passing of time, I feel that I have talents such as drawing and intelligence games. At the moment, I am still a student and I dream to continue school and in the future to be a teacher to other deaf kids.” Back to More Than Chocolates For Gaza |
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“I am Walid and I am 8 years old. I live with my 9-member family in Jabalya camp. All of my family lives in 2 small rooms. Because the place we live in is very small, we sleep on the ground and read on a very small table.
“Once I asked my father to bring me a bed and small desk. My father replied: ‘There is not enough space for these things.’ I spend most of the time outside the house. I play football in the car park. I ask myself ‘Where shall I play, in the small house, or in the street or in the car park?!’” Back to More Than Chocolates For Gaza |
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“I am Abeer, aged 43 years old. I live in Gaza city. In the past ten years, the services provided to persons with disabilities have been notably increased, especially after international organizations intervened to help the disabled people.
My life was full of obstacles and challenges because my family used to not understand my special needs (Abeer has suffered from polio). Even the society didn’t help me to overcome all the problems I faced, especially at school. But I myself, because I knew my mental and physical abilities, I could, despite everything, complete high school and I started to work at organizations related to persons with disabilities in order to help the members of society to understand the needs of persons with disabilities. I would like to help the coming generation of kids avoid the problems I faced when I was a child.” Back to More Than Chocolates For Gaza |
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“I am Saja. I am 12 years old. I live in Jabalya camp in the Gaza Strip. As I grew up, I found that I could not walk on my own. My family members carried me all the time from one place to another. Unlike my brothers and sisters, who were walking and playing and doing many things, I am a handicapped person and I could not walk alone.
I was dreaming to join my brothers and sisters when they went to school, but my father carried me every time. I started to hate the school and did not want to go. Later, by using an assistive device (walker), I started moving, with difficulty, and now I like the school and every day I go. I dream to finish my school and become a teacher in the future.” Back to More Than Chocolates For Gaza |
