Knee braces and a bus fare put Sabira back on her feet

Six physiotherapy sessions and a pair of braces fixed chronic knee pain. She now can walk her garden again.

Sabira, 34, lives in Kuikank Village, Yakawlang District, Bamyan Province, in a 12-person household with five children under 18. She runs the household and contributes to its livelihood through kitchen gardening.

Severe pain in both knees made walking, standing, bending and carrying hard, and limited her work in the garden. Her family's economic situation kept her from hospital care.

For many rural families like hers, treatment exists but is out of reach. Here, covering travel and lodging turned a referral into real care.

Rehabilitation changed everything

Sabira was referred by HI to a hospital for assessment and physiotherapy. HI paid for transportation and accommodation for her and a caregiver.

Then, last June, she received six physiotherapy sessions, a pair of knee braces and guidance on safe exercises. Sabira exercised daily and, after a while, reported less pain and better physical function. She can now walk around the garden, tend plants and water them with more independence.

"I have regained my confidence and feel more hopeful about my future."

CDCS Project - Strengthening Inclusive and Gender-Sensitive Disaster Risk Reduction in Bamyan and Emergency Response in Afghanistan. Thanks to CDCS for supporting this project. It provides combined livelihood assistance with individualised measures, including physiotherapy, to address the difficulties that people with disabilities face in participating in their daily activities.