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Society helps man disabled in missile attack
WEST BANK & GAZA STRIP — One evening last summer Mohammed Salim Abu Zayad was sitting outside his home in the Musha’ala district of Deir Albalah, with one of his sons. Suddenly they heard the sound of a missile approaching – evidently fired at a nearby Israeli settlement by Palestinian militants. Mohammed’s son leapt to his feet and ran for cover; the missile landed directly on his chair. Unfortunately, Mohammed was not so quick. Hit by flying shrapnel, he lost his hand. His right side was also injured, and he needed 70 stitches to stop the bleeding. Emotional legacyLess than a year later, the father of six has to deal with the emotional as well as the physical legacy of the incident. He still suffers a great deal of pain which such medicines as he has do not relieve; he cannot dress himself, eat or write unaided.
It has – obviously – affected his family, as well. For his son Ahmad, seeing his father in such a reduced situation has been very hard. “It is difficult,” he repeats, over and over and again. “It is difficult… emotionally and economically. You see your father without a hand… He can’t put on his own clothes… he can’t work… he can’t even eat!” Doctors told the family that a prosthetic hand would offer 20 per cent of the functions of a ‘real’ hand. Mohammed was duly encouraged: “I could pick up a glass of water and drink!” he said. But the problem was money: a prosthetic hand would cost US$1,000 – money which the family didn’t have. They went to as many organisations as they could think of to apply for financial help… but without success. In the end it was the Palestinian Bible Society that provided help. Relief work“We heard about Mohammed as we were going around the neighbourhood doing relief work,” says Simon Azazian, the Palestinian Bible Society’s Information Officer. “Part of our relief program requires that we search for the people in most need. Mohammed then told us about his case.” GiftThe Society shared a gift of US$1,000 to Mohammed with another aid organisation. Although it took some time to administer, Mr Azazian adds, the result was that Mohammed got his artificial hand. “In the process, the Bible Society was able to share the Gospel,” says Mr Azazian. “Mohammed has both heard the Gospel and seen it in action. Praise the Lord!” (WR 393/2 - 06.05) [1 photo] Based on a story which appeared in Good News Palestine, newsletter of the Palestinian Bible Society. |
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