Mothers for mothers
As a leading Rehabilitation Centre in Palestine, the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre envisions that all Palestinian children with disabilities (CwD) have access to quality health services and inclusive education, can participate and influence within society and have hope and opportunities.
Within our Comprehensive Rehabilitation Service, families receive a full package of empowerment through our Mother and Family Empowerment Program (MFEP), which provides psychosocial support, education, and training for families. These parents become great advocates and shadow therapists for their children with disabilities.
Creating a space for mothers to talk and share their stories can be life-transforming for them and their families. By empowering parents, a new life opportunity can be envisioned and a child’s future reshaped.
Mothers as Bloggers and Influencers
When Wattan (now one-year-old) was born, the doctors did not recognize her condition. Her parents continued their search for answers until they received a diagnosis. Her mother Ishraq, describes this as a difficult time for her, feeling both lost and isolated. However, she continued in her quest for treatment for her daughter until she succeeded in getting a referral to the JPBC Child Rehabilitation Centre, one month ago.
As a leading Rehabilitation Centre in Palestine, the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre envisions that all Palestinian children with disabilities (CwD) have access to quality health services and inclusive education, can participate and influence within society and have hope and opportunities.
Within our Comprehensive Rehabilitation Service, families receive a full package of empowerment through our Mother and Family Empowerment Program (MFEP), which provides psychosocial support, education, and training for families. These parents become great advocates and shadow therapists for their children with disabilities.
Creating a space for mothers to talk and share their stories can be life-transforming for them and their families. By empowering parents, a new life opportunity can be envisioned and a child’s future reshaped.
Mothers as Bloggers and Influencers
When Wattan (now one-year-old) was born, the doctors did not recognize her condition. Her parents continued their search for answers until they received a diagnosis. Her mother Ishraq, describes this as a difficult time for her, feeling both lost and isolated. However, she continued in her quest for treatment for her daughter until she succeeded in getting a referral to the JPBC Child Rehabilitation Centre, one month ago.
Ishraq and her daughter have now received a program of intensive support and treatment by a team of therapists and professionals at the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre. This is through the residential Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program, which aims to achieve optimal rehabilitation and results for CwD.
This support has given the mother a greater understanding of her daughter’s needs and condition and helped her to overcome the multiple challenges associated with having a child with disabilities; in this instance, the repercussions of wrong or late diagnosis and dealing with the stigma.
Ishraq explains: “Despite the pain, since day one, I was determined to provide all the support my daughter needed, but I lacked knowledge and didn’t know where to start from. However, since arriving at the Basma Centre my thoughts have become more organized”.
In addition to being trained in all the therapy sessions of their CwD, mothers receive a ‘Home Therapy Plan’ at the end of each admission, to ensure therapy is sustained and treatment provided once returning home. Ishraq says: “People are amazed at hearing about the home therapy plan and my role in Wattan’s therapeutic process. At first, they didn’t believe it’s possible, but I believe the results will prove it is.”
Despite her concerns about society’s reaction, Wattan’s mother established her own Facebook page after the third week at the JPBC and shared the first post about her daughter’s case, marking milestones in her development. She has already received much positive feedback but also challenging stories from mothers in similar situations struggling without support. This post has gone viral among community groups.
Ishraq says: “I started posting on social media for two reasons. First, to create a record for Wattan’s future. I want her to feel accepted, loved, and successful. Second, to help other mothers experiencing the same struggle and intense emotions.”
Ahmad's mother
In another story, Ahmad (now two years and six months) was diagnosed with Down Syndrome during pregnancy, which the family describes as a time of anxiety and stress. After the birth, Haneen, Ahmad’s mother, closed her clinic, isolated herself at home, and started a search for information and guidance on Ahmad’s condition and how best to meet his needs.
After many visits to clinics, Haneen eventually learned about JPBC Child Rehabilitation services. Ahmad was enrolled for treatment and she joined the Mother and Family Empowerment Program. As part of this journey, a social worker and therapeutic team worked with Haneen to help her gain more understanding of her situation and provided encouragement along the way. Ahmad’s rapid improvement was a great source of reassurance to Haneen and all the family, who became more involved in supporting him and more hopeful and confident about his future.
Subsequent admissions followed and Ahmad flourished. Haneen expressed the pride and happiness that Ahmad had brought to the family. “At JPBC, there were real results and not just hopes. This has opened the door wide for us to imagine a successful future for our child with Down Syndrome.”
Following the third admission, Haneen established an Instagram page for Ahmad who in three months attracted more than 280 followers and 8000 shares for his story. “The home therapy plan and intensive rehabilitation at the Basma Centre have revealed the truth of our child’s abilities and empowered us to face society. From here, I was emboldened to share these stories online.”
