Caption: Gina during a rehabilitation session at the community development center in Zarka, Jordan, with her physical therapist. | © HI
Caption: Gina during a rehabilitation session at the community development center in Zarka, Jordan, with her physical therapist. | © HI
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 orthopedic 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 says.
In November 2021, with HI’s support, Gina had successful hip surgery, which was followed by six weeks at home in a cast.
She then received rehabilitation treatment three times a week at the Zarka Community Development Center, 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.
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."
“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 is ambitious. She is learning Spanish and hopes to be fluent one day. She dreams of being a vet and helping all the animals.
These activities are made possible by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Populations, Refugees, and Migration.
