Abu Dhabi rehabilitation centre staff care for children like they are their own

The Emirati was severely disabled after being accidentally run over by his mother.

Nada and Noaman Al Ansari with Ali, who is cared for at Cambridge Medical and Rehabilitation Centre. Reem Mohammed / The National

At Cambridge Medical and Rehabilitation Centre, care for the disabled is provided by skilled staff, with devoted family members making huge sacrifices in support of loved ones.

ABU DHABI // Ten years ago staff at a rehabilitation centre in the capital were introduced to a four-year-old boy in need of care.

The Emirati was severely disabled after being accidentally ran over by his mother. She could not cope with the round-the-clock care her son needed and took him to the centre so that he would be cared for by specialists. She has been back twice.

Although the boy, now 14, might have been forgotten by his family, staff at the Cambridge Medical and Rehabilitation Centre have more than compensated for their absence.

“We have watched him grow up,” said nurse manager Abdullah Abu Mustafa.

The boy was admitted to a rehabilitation centre in 2006 and later moved to Cambridge. Most of the staff who looked after him also moved.

“We felt that we could provide the needed care at Cambridge and asked the parents if we could move him with us,” said Mr Abu Mustafa.

But getting the boy’s parents’ consent was difficult.

“After trying to reach them for a long time, they told us just ‘take him’. We pleaded with them to come in to sign the consent forms.”

On the teenager’s birthday, nurses decorate his room, buy him cake and presents.

“He is our son,” said nurse Glovyvi Esplana. “We are all his family and have looked after him since he was small.”

Staff buy him clothes and make excuses for his mother.

“It might be difficult for his mother to see him because she feels guilty. It is hard to know that you are responsible for your son being sick,” Ms Esplana said.

“I saw the father once and it was very emotional. He couldn’t even enter his son’s room. He stood outside and looked at him and left. He didn’t say a word to anyone,” said head nurse Mohammad Said.

Not all patients at the centre are forgotten by their family. Some relatives are in constant contact with loved ones and make great sacrifices to do so.

For two years, Salma Al Ghaithi has been at her father’s bedside. He suffered a stroke in 2014 and is attached to a ventilator and feeding tube. The 24-year-old gave up her studies to be with him 24 hours a day. “When I die, will God judge me on my educational degree or my deeds?” she said.

“There is nothing greater or more important than this.

“Taking care of my father when he is sick. He has looked after me his entire life. This is the least I can do.”

Ms Al Ghaithi is from Al Ain and is one of nine siblings. “They all visit, but I sleep here.

“This is home to me now – as long as my father is here.”

Nada Al Ansari’s son Ali is also at the centre. The 10-month-old was born with a genetic disorder and is unable to eat or breath independently. Despite having two older children at home, she visits Ali twice a day.

“A mother is not the one who gives birth to you, she is the one who takes care of you,” said Ms Al Ansari. “With a few of the patients, the nurses are their mothers. They take care of them and love them.”

Next to her son’s crib is a four-year-old girl who has brain damage. Mrs Al Ansari said she will never forget the little girl’s birthday.

“The nurses brought cake, balloons and decorations. They called her parents.

“They didn’t even know it was their daughter’s birthday. They came for a few minutes, smiled and then left.”