We have been looking at the possibility of LDS Charities donating some wheelchairs to an NGO here in Jordan called Handicap International. Some time ago, we met with the field coordinator in Irbid and made arrangements to go see one of their centers. Today we went with him to the Princess Basma Community Center where people who have disabilities can get physical therapy, counseling, prostheses, mobility aids, etc. Most of the people they serve are refugees from Syria who have been injured in the conflict there. There are other services there as well.
When we arrived at the center, the courtyard was full of people, mostly women. They were waiting for something, but we don't know what it was--maybe a clothing distribution. I would love to have taken a picture, but didn't feel it would be appropriate or respectful.
Our host took us inside the rehab area and showed us their facilities. It was very impressive, and all made available for free. Many kind, generous people around the world who donate to Handicap International make this possible.
After the tour, we went outside and saw a woman standing in the porch with her teenage daughter. The daughter had no legs from the knees down and was standing on two leather "shoes." I spoke to her, but she had very little response, just the same empty look in her eyes that I've seen on others who have been through the trauma of war. I turned to her mother and she had tears in her eyes. I couldn't speak her language, so I turned to someone nearby and told her to say, "May God bless you." Then I gave her a big long hug. She looked like she needed one. Then I looked around and saw several other women wiping tears away. We all cried together and then we drive away. In our nice car. In our nice clothes. To our nice apartment with plenty of food.
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