The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXI

Omar Abdullah Ibrahim
Hana Al-Eryani, Ania Jamil, Teachers
Abjad School, Sana’a, Yemen
I was in a rush running out of the building where I live, when a car hit me.
That’s all I remember from the accident.
When I was in the intensive care room in the hospital, I heard the voices
around me. Sometimes I understood what they were talking about. I wished I
could reply, but I couldn’t talk or move at all, even though I was trying hard.
I was later told that I stayed in the hospital for a long time. I don’t remember
that. The only thing I remember is hearing the noise of equipment and
voices of people.
After I left the intensive care room, I was more aware of my surroundings, but
I couldn’t move. I could hear the voices of my mom and dad, but I couldn’t
talk to them. I was trying, and I had a belief that I would do it if I kept on
trying, because I love life, I love playing, and I love my friends.
I remember my friend, Joseph, whom I love very much, and he loves me. He
came to the hospital and gave me a flower. I was very happy, and I expressed
my happiness with a smile.
After many days, with the help and love of my great mother and father, I
started the physiotherapy treatment. I then started to realize things around
me. Learning about one thing gave me incentive to learn more about others.
Mom was there for me all the time, and Dad too. I used to hear her voice. I
tried to talk to her, but it was difficult for me. I started to see, a little bit. I tried
to identify the place. I was happy that I could see things around me.
I remember how happy I felt when my uncle visited me. I laughed a lot
because I love him very much. But I still could not move. I was told that I had
lost much of my consciousness.
In the hospital, loud voices were annoying to me, but I was not able to
complain. With time passing, I started to hear more clearly. I really liked when
my uncle used to visit me and tell me stories in my ears. The first word I said
was eight months after the accident.
I was so happy that I could talk, and every day I tried harder and harder to
move. I was pushing myself to move, and I did it. Doctors were very happy
for me. My family, mother, father, and uncles were the most excited. I was
so happy because I was told that unless I have determination, I would be
handicapped for the rest of my life.
“The first word I said
was eight months
after the accident.”
I started trying to sit-up and to move, even though I heard the doctor talking
about my disability. I was determined to recover. Mom too shared this belief
with me.
I started trying to stand and to walk, even for one step. I felt that I was getting
better. My mother was encouraging me. She was by my side all the time,
helping me. I remember how happy I was when she helped me go to the yard
of the building where we live. I was very slow, and I fell several times, but I
kept on trying.
When the school year started, I was very sad because I would not be able to go
to school. But Mom found a solution. She used to read to me and repeat until
I understood. She contacted my teachers at Abjad School, and they helped.
When I started to talk, it was very difficult. Only my mother could understand
me. I asked her if I could go to school because I missed it. I missed my friends,
teachers, the playfield, and the cafeteria. I missed everything at school.
Mom and Dad helped me go back to school. When I first entered through
the school gate, I felt extremely happy. Everybody was there to welcome me,
especially my friends. I thanked my mother for that.
I started attending school for only three periods per day. I was happy for the
attention I had from the teachers. They were encouraging me a lot. They
were happy about my return. I started studying my lessons every day with
the help of my mother. She was reading for me and writing as well, as it was
difficult for me to write. After a while, I started attending half the classes. I
was happy when the school moved the location of my class from the third
floor to the first floor.
The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond
Volume XXXI
104 105