They were injured in the Syrian conflict, caught in the earthquake in Türkiye, or were affected by different diseases. What these experiences have in common is that all their lives have been fundamentally distorted, and they have gone on to live as people with disabilities.
Their struggle to start their lives again is admirable. However, there are many challenges ahead for them to overcome to build a new, dignified life.
Thanks to EU humanitarian support, the NGO Relief International, in partnership with the National Syrian Project for Prosthetic Limbs and the Union of Medical Care and Relief Organization, provides physiotherapy services, prosthesis and orthosis, assistive devices, and psychosocial support to refugees with disabilities and local communities in Türkiye.
Through its 2 physiotherapy centres in the provinces of Gaziantep and Hatay, the EU supported the physical rehabilitation of 1,170 people in 2024. However, rehabilitation and adaptation often require months of hard work and perseverance.
The prostheses that complete the body schema give them a sense of freedom that once seemed out of reach, reintegrating them into social life and paving the way for a fuller, more independent life.
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we want to honour these people and their struggle to hold on to a new life.
“I do not have any other choice”
Mohammad is a 31-year-old Syrian father who lost his left limb above the knee in the devastating earthquake in 2023 in Türkiye. Tragically, his wife, his 4-year-old son, and his wife’s entire family perished in the disaster.
After receiving a prosthesis, he takes part in rehabilitation sessions at the EU-funded physical rehabilitation centre in Reyhanlı. “I need to walk. I do not have any other choice but to stand up. I need to build a new future from scratch for my surviving sons,” he says.
Sayef’s determination to walk
Sayef is an 11-year-old Syrian boy who was injured by shelling during the Syrian civil war, resulting in the amputation of both lower limbs below the knees. He has had some problems with his prosthetics for a year, which were corrected 2 months ago in this centre in Reyhanlı.
“The sessions always give me hope for an independent and healthy life,” he says. Samer, his physiotherapist, says: "Our centre has become among his sole sources of hope."
“I will try to find a job”
A 19-year-old Syrian boy, Abdul Hamid lost far too much during the 2023 earthquake. He was trapped under the rubble with his family for 5 days. He lost his father and 2 siblings. He also lost his lower limb. He comes to the centre in Reyhanlı for his rehabilitation to be able to regain his mobility. “I must work to take care of those left behind by my family. I will try to find a job after my rehabilitation," he says tenaciously.
“I can climb stairs”
Mohammed, an 11-year-old Syrian boy, waits in patience while the physiotherapist finalises equipping his leg with orthosis in the centre in Reyhanlı. He has muscular dystrophy and, scoliosis.
"Although I have not finished my treatment yet, my movement has improved a lot and I can now climb stairs without issues," he says.
Lin hopes to play with her friends
Lin is a 5-year-old Syrian refugee girl living in Hatay. She was suffering from pain and ligament laxity in her knees and couldn't walk properly. Her family took her to the EU-funded physical rehabilitation centre in Kilis.
The technician took the measurements that would be used to fit her leg with an orthosis to improve her movement. She smiles at the technician and thinks about 1-day walking and running with her friends.
