Name: Alaa
Age: 42 years
Amount needed: 923 JOD
Support provided: Providing medication, food parcels, and clothing
ALAA'S STORY
Alaa is a 42-year-old mother who has separated from her husband and has become the sole provider and caregiver for her young children, responsible for meeting their daily needs. The family lives on a very modest income that does not exceed 100 per month, an amount that is insufficient to cover even the most basic necessities of life, especially in light of rising living costs and the increasing needs of the children.
However, Alaa’s challenges are not limited to financial hardship. Fifteen years ago, she was diagnosed with Behçet's disease, a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and can affect multiple organs in the body. Her struggle began when the disease affected her eyes, leading to complete vision loss in her left eye, and she now relies solely on her right eye to see the world around her.
Over the years, the illness has not stopped there; it has spread to other parts of her body, causing persistent pain in her knees and elbows due to inflammation and the rheumatism associated with her condition. Between physical pain and daily responsibilities, Alaa continues to fight for her children, refusing to give up despite the harsh circumstances.
For Alaa, medication is not an option that can be delayed or ignored; it is a lifelong necessity. These medications help keep her conscious and able to focus so she can care for her children and manage her daily responsibilities. Without treatment, she experiences episodes of confusion and loss of consciousness and awareness, and she may leave her home without realizing what is happening around her or remembering her actions, putting her at risk and threatening the stability of her children who depend on her entirely.
Despite everything, Alaa continues to try to be the strong mother her children need, hiding her pain and masking her suffering behind a tired smile, fearing that her children might fully grasp the extent of what she is going through.
Today, Alaa needs support to secure her essential medication so she can continue caring for her children and maintaining her health and family stability. Helping her does not only mean providing treatment; it means protecting a mother and her children from a future filled with fear and hardship.