Help Traumatized Palestinian Children

When help starts early the progress can be amazing. Parents bring their children to the Spafford Children’s Center (SCC) where they know complex issues can be addressed. Think about Fatima a three-and-a-half-year-old girl living with her family in Jerusalem. Her parents were frantic; why did their beautiful little girl fall so much; why couldn’t she put on a jacket by herself like her brother could at the same age; why was turning the page of her favorite book so hard; and why couldn’t she use a pencil to draw a circle or a picture.

The SCC occupational therapy assessment showed a weakness in her hand muscles, gross motor delays, problems with balance and walking, and eye-hand coordination. Fatima did not have a dominate hand and struggled with visual perception tests. She found it hard to concentrate and often became frustrated with activities.

The SCC occupational therapist and social worker helped the parents understand the diagnosis from the neurologist and how sessions at SCC and at exercises at home could help. Armed with additional understanding, the parents became strong advocates for their daughter and her development.

After four months of occupational therapy services, Fatima showed improvement in holding the pencil, but it was still difficult for her to move her wrist. She can sit in a chair and do several activities for 3-5 minutes at a time. Her walking is a bit steadier and she has enjoyed fun activities at SCC where she can play with other children. Her visual perception has also improved including visual closure or the ability to visualize the whole of an object or picture when part of it is hidden and form constancy or the ability to recognize forms and objects as the same in various situations.

Obviously, Fatima will need more help, but now she and her parents know that progress is possible and she is enrolled in ongoing occupational therapy at SCC. This level of individual attention is hard for Palestinians to find in Jerusalem. Your donations to the American Friends of the Spafford Children’s Center (AFSCC) are critically important to continue theses services to Fatima and other children like her. Remember that all of the money you contribute to AFSCC goes directly to SCC as all AFSCC expenses are paid through donations made by the Board of Directors.