PALESTINIAN MOTHER AND SON SAVED FROM A LIFE OF MISERY
▶ Woman and paraplegic son treated in hospital before being given new home from the Ruler of Ajman
A mother and her paralysed son who were forced to live in wretched conditions for years have been given accommodation and medical assistance after the Ruler of Ajman came to their aid.
Essmat Badawiya, believed to be in her late 70s, and her son Ashraf Abdul Majeed, 48, have been living in a miserable situation for nearly 20 years. Mr Abdul Majeed has suffered from paraplegia since childhood and cannot take care of himself or his mother.
A video circulating on social media showed the elderly mother, who cannot walk, and her paraplegic son living in a home in a state of disrepair, with water leaks and damaged furniture and walls.
The video was taken by one of the people providing them with food and financial help. It sparked a life-changing intervention.
After the video was widely shared on social media, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, ordered that the two be given medical care and a new home.
The National visited Ms Badawiya and Mr Majeed, who have been admitted to Thumbay Hospital in Ajman, along with family members who came to support them.
Mrs Badawyia’s daughter, Eman Abdul Majeed, 50, arrived in the country from Palestine on Saturday.
“I was shocked to see my mother and brother in such a wretched situation,” Mrs Abdul Majeed, who lives in Gaza, said.
“I regularly contact my mother and she complained about her medical, financial and living situations.
“But I did not expect the situation to be that bad.
“Living in Gaza deprives me of travelling regularly due to the closure of the Gaza crossings and the deteriorating economic condition.
“I came to the UAE through the Rafah border crossing, which is the sole crossing between Egypt and Gaza Strip. It was very difficult. It’s not easy for Palestinians to reach Egypt. Thankfully, I did and travelled from there to Sharjah.”
Mrs Abdul Majeed said that her husband had to borrow US$2,000 (Dh7,340) to afford the trip.
“I saw the video when I was in Egypt. My heart was broken,” she said.
“Ashraf has had a brain stroke. He does not go out, can’t move and does not communicate. Thus, his health deteriorated further.”
Mrs Abdul Majeed said her mother and brother’s residency visas have been sponsored by the Ruler’s Court.
Mr Abdul Majeed worked in Awqaf in Sharjah 10 years ago. He was involved in a car accident, which worsened his medical situation. He and Mrs Abdul Majeed were born in Egypt. He was given the wrong polio vaccination, which resulted in his paraplegia.
“My mother did not know that he could be treated. She is uneducated,” Mrs Abdul Majeed said. “My parents were divorced when I was about nine and my father was granted full custody of me.
“My brother, Ashraf, chose to live with my mother. At that time, Sheikh Humaid gave them the home they were living in for free. Their home was in much better condition then.
“I got married when I was very young. More than 15 years ago, I moved with my husband to Gaza in Palestine. Our life is very hard in Gaza. I visited them once almost 10 years ago and I try to do my best by communicating and checking on them regularly.”
When asked about her mother’s age, Mrs Abdul Majeed said: “I do not know because even my mother is not aware of how old she is. Doctors examined her and estimated that she’s 79 years old.”
She said she would be forever grateful to Sheikh Humaid for his help.
“I thank the Ruler of Ajman for supporting my family and providing them with medical assistance and a new home.”
I was shocked to see my mother and brother in such a wretched situation. Living in Gaza deprives me of travelling regularly due to closure of the Gaza crossings EMAN ABDUL MAJEED Daughter