Rama Waleed Odeh, Ramallah, February 2011

Rama Waleed Odeh is a three year old girl, who was admitted to our Jerusalem Hospital for squint surgery in February.  She lives with her adoptive parents in Ramallah. 

Mr Odeh is a 46 year old casual labourer and Mrs Odeh, 43, is a home-maker.  The couple could not have children of their own.

An 11-month old Rama and her twin brother were very small and thin when Mr and Mrs Odeh saw them at the Orphanage and decided to give them both a home. 

Rama suffers from developmental delay.  At three, she can speak only three words.  Though she is hyperactive, she is introverted and tends to play alone.  She has a habit of hitting her own face.  In addition, Rama suffers from Infantile Esotropia, or squints, in her eyes. 

In the Middle East, discernable defects of the eye are often scorned and Rama and her family have already experienced abuse from neighbours.

An MRI scan recently revealed that Rama has a dilated lateral brain ventricle, which means that part of her brain is enlarged or swollen.  Once Rama has recovered from her squint surgery, her parents will pursue the treatment of the dilated ventricle. 

In February 2011, surgery was completed successfully in Jerusalem.  Mr and Mrs Odeh were most impressed by how supportive and helpful the staff were at the hospital, and how compassionate and understanding of Rama’s condition the doctors were. 

Mrs Odeh said, “Thanks for St. John hospital that have helped me despite my child’s disability.  They helped me by treating my child.  I was exempted the cost of the surgery and wasn’t judged or made feel needy and poor.”

Hopefully, now, Rama and her family will be left in peace and not have to include bullying amongst their daily trials.