Heartwarming Recovery: Gazan Boy Takes First Steps After Life-Changing Surgery in Jordan

After receiving critical medical treatment in Jordan, Rami Qattoush, a nine-year-old boy from Gaza, joyously takes his first steps since a devastating injury. His journey highlights the resilience of children impacted by the ongoing conflict, as he continues to seek recovery and dreams of returning home.

Rami Qattoush's mother radiates pride as her nine-year-old son gingerly kicks a football for the first time since his traumatic injury. This moment marks a significant milestone in his rehabilitation journey after he was granted medical evacuation to Jordan last month, following an Israeli military approval to exit Gaza.

Rami harbors aspirations of one day playing football like his idol Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the physical toll of his ordeal is evident; he experiences pain, tires quickly, and often needs to rest on a nearby plastic chair. His legs, one of which is splinted, bear severe scars from his injury, and each tentative step he takes is a challenge.

Amid overwhelming circumstances, medical professionals in Gaza suggested that Rami’s family consider amputating both legs. However, his mother, Islam, fought to keep Rami's limbs intact after witnessing his eight-year-old brother Abdul Salam lose his lower right leg in similar circumstances. The family's tragedy deepened when Rami's 12-year-old brother, Mustafa, was tragically killed during an Israeli airstrike that targeted their home, leaving his mother heartbroken and pleading for Rami's recovery.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has been devastating, with the UN reporting nearly 14,500 child fatalities and countless others severely wounded since the outbreak of violence on October 7, 2023. Currently, Gaza's healthcare system is crumbling, with only a fraction of hospitals partially operational, and critical shortages of medicines prevalent. The World Health Organization estimates that around 30,000 Gazans, including Rami and Abdul Salam, are left with life-altering injuries necessitating extensive rehabilitation.

In a joint effort, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the World Health Organization facilitated Rami's transport to a specialized hospital in Amman for complex reconstructive surgery. Through their multi-disciplinary approach to care, Rami has received psychological support, physiotherapy, and education at MSF's "School of the Future."

Though in hospital, Rami often expresses a longing to reunite with his father, Mohammed, and Abdul Salam, who is also in need of medical attention but could not accompany Rami to Jordan. Rami’s heart remains anchored to Gaza, recalling fond memories of life before the war and yearning for a return to normalcy.

His physiotherapist, Zaid Alqaisi, highlights Rami's determination and motivation: "He arrived in a wheelchair... he is eager to rejoin his friends and family, and make his father proud." Despite enduring extensive procedures and the trauma of losing loved ones, Rami’s spirit shines through, as he continues to make strides in his recovery.

As Rami's journey unfolds, he demonstrates both immense courage and resilience, with a newfound goal of swimming in the sea that he misses dearly. Meanwhile, his bond with a fellow patient, Abdul Rahman, who also endured loss, emphasizes the psychological toll the war has inflicted on children, illustrating the complex challenges of healing.

With his recent progress celebrated through video calls with his family, Rami experiences dual emotions of elation and sorrow. His father's encouragement—“Rami, you're a hero”—reverberates in his heart, propelling him along the difficult path ahead. Promisingly, Abdul Salam and their father are expected to join Rami in Jordan soon, ensuring both brothers will face the challenges of recovery together as they transition toward their new normal.